Report: Steelers' Justin Fields Has Serious Believers Within Organization To Be Team's 2025 Starting QB

With the Pittsburgh Steelers' future at quarterback remaining uncertain, the organization has made it clear that it'd prefer to re-sign either Russell Wilson or Justin Fields to be the starting quarterback in 2025. While much of the fan base feels like it has seen enough from Wilson after the finish to the 2024 season, Wilson revealed that he and the Steelers have talked about a new contract while on the Pat McAfee Show recently. However, a new report from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler states that Fields has taken the belief of multiple people within Pittsburgh's building. 

It has been three weeks since the Steelers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, which has given the franchise plenty of time to come to a conclusion about the future at quarterback. Wilson reached his highest point with the Steelers when he and the offense put 44 points on the scoreboard against Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals, but he began to take way too many sacks late in the season as the offensive line continued to struggle protecting him. 

George Pickens being sidelined for three games began the horrific snowball effect for Wilson and the Steelers because the offense quickly became lifeless without him. Not only are ticket-buyers in the Steel City hoping Pittsburgh decides to stick with Fields as opposed to Wilson, but members of the Steelers' organization too believe Fields can lead the offense next season. 

"Some in the Pittsburgh organization are comfortable with Justin Fields being the team's QB in 2025," Fowler reported. "He has the upside and more mobility at this stage than Russell Wilson, the Steelers' other free agent passer. But as one NFC executive pointed out, Fields didn't seem to have great chemistry with receiver George Pickens, so it's possible that could play a part."

One of the more obvious members of the Steelers' coaching staff that would likely prefer the team to sign Fields is Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith, who might have been against benching him in favor of Wilson earlier in the year. Mike Tomlin told reporters at the end of the season that quarterback mobility is going to be an important component of the quarterback decision-making moving forward, which would point to Fields having the advantage. 

Even if a new contract with the Steelers is Fields' personal preference, his biggest obstacle is Tomlin's relationship with Wilson. Tomlin was very clear and stubborn about the fact that the 2024 team would be Wilson's, but that led the franchise to the same result that its had the past eight years. Tomlin is visibly optimistic and encouraged about Wilson, which makes it much more difficult for him to hand the team over to Fields. 

Fowler's report also states that Fields and Pickens didn't build great chemistry together, but that could entirely be a result of the coaching staff holding Fields back from taking some shots downfield. In Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons, Pickens was Fields' top receiver with six catches for over 80 yards. The following week against the Denver Broncos, Pickens only caught two passes, but many big-time connections between the two were brought back due to penalties. 

There's no doubt that Fields and Pickens could become a dangerous duo if the Steelers give the two an opportunity in 2025 without playing scared football. 

Steelers' Russell Wilson Needs To Find New Suitor In Order To Re-Sign Justin Fields

If Fields wants to return as a Steeler, then other NFL teams need to have some sort of interest in Wilson being their quarterback for 2025. After leaving the Broncos in 2023, Wilson is beginning to jump ships routinely and other NFL teams aren't going to be willing to give the 36-year-old another chance. 

The Steelers are likely one of the few teams that have any interest in signing Wilson to a new contract, which is bad news for Fields. The Steelers need to build for the future, and giving the former first-round draft pick the reins makes the most sense. 

What do you think about Fowler's report? How likely is it that the team will re-sign Fields? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.

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