Until the Pittsburgh Steelers re-sign either Russell Wilson or Justin Fields, the entire media landscape surrounding the team is going to focus on the quarterback position. General Manager Omar Khan told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday that he would like to get one of the two starters from 2024 a new deal so that roster construction can officially begin on the offensive side of the ball. The fan base seems to be overwhelmingly favoring Fields, but he would likely have a few attractive and competitive offers if he finds his way to free agency. No one currently knows what the end result will be.
Sebastian Foltz / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers quarterbacks Russell Wilson (left) and Justin Fields (right) warming up before a work out during offseason activities at the UPMC Sports Complex in Pittsburgh, PA.
The Steelers only have a couple of weeks left to get one of the two quarterbacks signed before one, or both, have the ability to speak to other teams about a potential contract. It seems as if Wilson would already be inked to a new deal by now if that's what the franchise truly wanted, given the veteran's clear desire to play in Pittsburgh for at least another season.
Fields, on the other hand, could be the harder puzzle to piece together because of his market that has potentially developed. Late on Tuesday evening, Chris Mack and Mark Kaboly went live on Kaboly + Mack to discuss what Kaboly, a Steelers reporter for the Pat McAfee Show, has seen and heard so far at the NFL Scouting Combine. The duo dove into the quarterback situation and Mack stated that Pittsburgh needs to be willing to offer Fields a multi-year deal.
"Fields isn't coming back on a one-year deal," Mack said. "Fields is going to have to be signed for multiple years, and probably at a decent price, or at least a good bit more than he was making [in 2024]."
Kaboly noted that Mack hit the nail on the head. If Pittsburgh isn't willing to give Fields some kind of long-term security, then negotiations between the two parties could end very quickly.
"You have the argument right there, man," Kaboly said. "What you're saying is, 'This could fall through very quickly if [the Steelers] want to go that route.'"
It still seems rather insane for the Steelers to bring Wilson back when there is much more upside to look at when focusing on Fields. The younger of the two is faster, more agile, and showed some serious flashes of brilliance during the six-game stint he started in 2024. The main problem when it comes to the contract talks is Fields' market could be extensive, and a six-game stretch might not have been enough for the Steelers to open up the checkbook.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (#2) runs with the football during a regular season football matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.
Mack continued with his thoughts on the situation and made complete sense when arguing for Fields. The soon-to-be 26-year-old will have no interest in job security for just one year, just to be in the same position in the 2026 offseason.
"If they're going to try and go stop-gap again, Fields isn't going to have it," Mack said. "Fields wants to be told that A - I'm the guy this year, and I don't blame him for that, and B - he's going to want a deal of more than one year because he's going to get that somewhere else."
The Steelers have to go about the quarterback position strategically and, with an underwhelming draft class, it's looking more likely than not that Wilson or Fields will end up returning. It all will depend, however, on what the front office is willing to offer to Fields, because it appears as if the preference would be to bring him back for at least another season. Unfortunately, he is going to want more than just one more year in the Steel City.
Stephen R. Sylvanie / Imagn Images
Steelers quarterback Justin Fields runs off the playing surface following a Week 6 game in 2024 against the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV.
Steelers Can't Let Fields Slip Away In Free Agency
If Khan and co. don't agree to a deal with Fields by the time the legal tampering period begins, Fields will be as good as gone. Taking that kind of risk and assuming another team out there like the Las Vegas Raiders or New York Jets won't swoop in with a multi-year, financially-sound offer would be juvenile. Fields is a former first-round pick that still has the abilities to blossom into a star in the NFL. The Steelers can't let him get away without knowing for sure what he is capable of.
Do you think that the Steelers are going to get a deal done with Fields before free agency begins? Let us know in the comments below!
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