For the second consecutive offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers' top focus is finding a starting-caliber quarterback. Much like after the 2023 season when Pittsburgh was unsure if Kenny Pickett was the future under center, the Steelers still don't have a passer on the roster that they think can lead the offense to a Super Bowl in 2025. The most likely free agents to sign with the Steelers this offseason is either Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson, following Justin Fields' heartbreaking decision to sign elsewhere in the AFC.
After Wilson and the Steelers' disastrous finish to 2024, the majority of the Black and Gold fan base was ready to move on from Wilson and give Fields another shot as the team's offensive captain. It also appears that a large group of coaches and players within the Steelers' facility wanted the organization to reach a new deal with Fields as the negotiating window of free agency opened up. When Fields decided to take the bigger offer from the New York Jets, the Steelers were left in a position no one wanted to find them in.
Prior to being benched for essentially the remainder of 2024, Fields gathered four wins and two losses during his six-game starting stretch. While the offense wasn't completely humming at the time, Fields brought a sense of optimism and excitement to the franchise, and that could be just one of the many reasons why team leaders, like Cam Heyward, were disappointed when the news broke that Fields' time with the Steelers would only last for one year.
On Friday, Heyward was on The Rich Eisen Show and discussed Pittsburgh's quarterback dilemma and how he felt about Fields singing with New York.
"First of all, Justin's a class act. He's a guy that works his tail off and wants to lead by example," Heyward said to Eisen about Fields. "I was kind of bummed it didn't work out here. I thought we were going to have a chance to get him. But, I know that dude is going to dominate in New York. He's going to give that team a good chance."
Heyward and Rich Eisen also spoke about the reports revealing that Rodgers arrived in Pittsburgh on Friday to speak with Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin. Earlier in the week, Heyward made a statement on his podcast regarding the Rodgers-saga. Heyward's message was crystal clear - you either want to play for the Steelers, or you don't. A lot of home-viewers received Heyward's message as a shot towards Rodgers, but Heyward claimed he isn't trying to scare anyone off.
Regardless of the outcome or who the Steelers end up starting under center as the team's quarterback in 2025, many fans from Steeler Nation will be left wondering what kind of future Fields could have had in Pittsburgh. Fields came to the Steel City after a few ugly years with the Chicago Bears, where he got criticized for his struggles turning the ball over and not winning games. He did the exact opposite of that during his six-game stretch as the starter in the Steel City, as he only threw one interception and five touchdowns through the air (five more rushing touchdowns as well).
Steelers Likely End Up Drafting A Quarterback Soon
After Ben Roethlisberger retired following the 2021 season, the Steelers immediately spent their first round draft choice on Kenny Pickett. It was clear that the Steelers reached on Pickett, who was never worthy of being a first round selection. That decision weighs heavily on the predicament they find themselves in now, as it looks like Rodgers, who will be turning 42 years old this winter, could be their starter in 2025. Now without Fields, just 26, the Steelers are forced to draft a quarterback in either this year's draft or next year's.
The main point is that the next quarterback the Steelers decide to draft cannot have the same outcome that Pickett did in Pittsburgh. As a first round quarterback, spending just two seasons before being shipped off is never ideal.
