The Pittsburgh Steelers have an impending quarterback decision to make, and it's been the talk of the Steel City. In 2024, they brought in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, giving both quarterbacks plenty of opportunities to prove themselves to the coaching staff. While Wilson saw more playing time, he struggled to stop the team's late-season losing streak, potentially playing himself out of Pittsburgh.
Fields, on the other hand, started the first six games while Wilson was sidelined with a calf injury. During that stretch, he led the Steelers to a 4-2 record and played solid football. However, it's difficult to fully assess his performance, as it was clear the Steelers were limiting him with a conservative game plan.
Now, Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin face a major decision. Fields appears to be the favorite to sign a new deal and remain in Pittsburgh, but that could change quickly. Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo weighed in on Fields’ upcoming free agency decision during an appearance on 93.7 The Fan on Thursday, offering him some critical advice.
"I think it is probably in Justin’s best interest [to remain in Pittsburgh]," Fittipaldo said. "I think he knows that Arthur Smith wants to work with him. He knows the wide receivers, and he has been here for a while. I think Justin Fields would be making a big mistake if he went somewhere else chasing a little bit more money and more security, where he thought he had more of a runway for a job, but that is just my opinion."
If Fields does return to Pittsburgh, he’ll have the benefit of continuity within Arthur Smith’s offense. The Steelers brought in Smith to rebuild their offense with a strong rushing attack and play-action-heavy scheme, which should play to Fields’ strengths. Given a full offseason as the presumed starter, Fields could have the opportunity to take a significant step forward in his development.
However, the free-agent market for quarterbacks is always unpredictable. If another team sees Fields as a clear-cut starter and is willing to offer him a lucrative multi-year deal, he may have a difficult decision to make. The Steelers have made it clear how they plan to use their cap space. They are going to be very aggressive and look to improve their offense.
While Pittsburgh has a significant amount of money to spend in free agency, they also need to make key upgrades on offense. Locking in a deal with Fields and surrounding him with more weapons could be the best path to improving the unit. However, Fields must decide whether signing a short-term, prove-it deal in Pittsburgh is worth the gamble.
The Steelers also have options beyond Fields. If they don’t believe he’s the long-term answer, they could look to the draft or even explore other possibilities for a veteran quarterback. The front office has remained quiet about its plans, but the decision at quarterback will be one of the biggest storylines of the offseason. Steeler Nation is set to find out who their starting quarterback for the 2025 season is going to be very soon.
Steelers Have A Chance To Stabilize The Quarterback Position
Ultimately, Fields’ decision will shape the Steelers' future just as much as the team’s decision on him. If he stays, Pittsburgh can continue building around him and potentially stabilize the position for the first time since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement. But if he leaves, the Steelers could be back to square one, searching for their next franchise quarterback.
The popular sentiment among Steelers fans is to commit to Fields and see if he can be the franchise's long-term answer. If he isn’t, at least the team will have given him a fair shot. This decision carries significant weight, and football fans are eagerly awaiting a resolution.
