Months into their offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers are still narrowing down their options to fill the quarterback spot for next season. Free agent Aaron Rodgers visited the team last week though no terms for a deal have been finalized.
This is the second year in a row where the Steelers find themselves seeking out a new fit for the position. Previously, Pittsburgh brought in two players to compete for the job in Justin Fields and Russell Wilson.
Both had their chances to maintain the starting role but neither player had enough of an impact for the Steelers to continue entrusting them these responsibilities.
In fact, one of them has already found a new home. Fields signed with the New York Jets after free agency opened, agreeing to a two-year $40 million deal.
The new man in New York has not been very public about his decision but according to The Athletic's Zack Roseblatt, a negative experience in Pittsburgh last season may have shaped his decision.
“Fields has not been made available to the media, but it is notable that reports have indicated the Steelers had a similar offer on the table to retain him; Fields prioritized the Jets, who were likely more willing to make Fields their starter going into 2025,” Rosenblatt wrote.
“(It likely didn’t help that Mike Tomlin benched Fields last season, against the wishes of many in that Steelers locker room).”
Clearly that did not sit well with Fields who is still looking to establish himself in his young NFL career. When the opportunity opened up in New York, it was one that Fields had to capitalize on.
Ironically, if the Steelers gain more ground with Rodgers, they and the Jets would essentially perform a quarterback swap.
But while Fields is justified in his feelings about the separation, Pittsburgh along with Tomlin are also justified in their choice to move on.
Regardless, the fresh start is the key outcome here for Fields. After a disappointing tenure with the Chicago Bears and a shortened stint with Pittsburgh, Fields gets likely his final chance to cement himself as a starter at this level.
Any transgressions from the past will need to be put to the side.
