QB Justin Fields Makes Final Free Agency Decision: Report

   

Quarterback Justin Fields will not be back with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025.

Justin Fields

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on March 10 that Fields has agreed to sign a two-year deal worth $40 million with the New York Jets. The contract will include $30 million guaranteed.

Fields is leaving Pittsburgh after just one season. Multiple reporters indicated during late January and February that Fields was the team’s primary choice to sign at quarterback.

Fields went 4-2 as Pittsburgh’s starter in 2024. He began the year 3-0 and then lost two consecutive games to teams that finished with below-.500 records. After bouncing back with a victory, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin then benched Fields in favor of Russell Wilson.

Both Wilson and Fields entered this offseason as unrestricted free agents. Wilson remains unsigned.

Steelers Lose Justin Fields to New York Jets

The offseason reports on who the Steelers were targeting at quarterback were mixed. But on March 10, the NFL Network panel conveyed the idea that Fields was Pittsburgh’s top choice behind center this offseason.

Fields’ age and upside were likely the reason why. The quarterback only turned 26 on March 5, and he showed signs of improvement in a small sample of games last season.

Fields posted a career-best 65.8% completion percentage and 0.6% interception rate. He also averaged 6.9 yards per pass with 10 total touchdowns and two giveaways.

On the ground, Fields rushed for 289 yards, averaging 4.7 yards per carry. He passed for five touchdowns and ran for five in six starts.

With no obvious long-term solutions behind center in free agency or the draft for Pittsburgh, signing Fields made the most sense. While starting Fields likely presents more risk than a veteran such as Wilson, there’s a greater chance of the Steelers leaving quarterback purgatory with Fields than Wilson.

But with Fields heading to the Jets, the Steelers will likely pursue Wilson and external options such as Aaron Rodgers, Daniel Jones and potentially others.

Rapoport made it clear on NFL Network that this was not part of his reporting. But he “wondered” essentially with out-loud speculation on air if Fields leaving the Steelers had something to do with his Week 7 benching.

Where Do the Steelers Go at QB After Jets Sign Fields?

On January 27, Steelers owner Art Rooney II said he would prefer the team re-sign either Wilson or Fields this offseason.

But those two weren’t the only quarterbacks the Steelers were reportedly courting at the start of the league’s legal tampering period.

The weekend prior to March 10, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer linked the Steelers to quarterback Sam Darnold. The veteran led the Minnesota Vikings to a 14-3 record last season.

But like Fields, Darnold is also off the table. Minutes before Fields’ deal, Rapoport reported Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks came to terms on a contract.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac reported on the morning of March 10 the Steelers were pursuing Rodgers.

Things can change very quickly in NFL free agency. But hours into the league tampering period, Wilson and Rodgers appear to be the front runners to start behind center for the Steelers in 2025.