The Pittsburgh Steelers have a decision to make between quarterbacks Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, and the expanse of mediocre quarterbacks waiting for them in free agency.
Both Wilson and Fields are set to be free agents in March after exceeding expectations in their 2024 playing time. However, it's abundantly clear that the duo will not return in the same capacity in 2025.
Pittsburgh must choose, and after Wilson entered the offseason as a perceived frontrunner, recent reporting suggests that friction between the quarterback and the coaching staff emerged as the season came to its sour end.
One report from Gerry Dulac reveals offensive coordinator Arthur Smith may be the key obstacle to the Steelers signing Wilson.
"According to several sources, Smith did not want Wilson changing plays at the line of scrimmage, like he did in Cincinnati, and deviating from the game plan," Dulac wrote.
"Wilson's desire to attack with the pass and throw down the field clashed with Smith's run-first mentality, causing philosophical friction between the two."
While Smith was happy to use the play-action passes that Wilson found success in 2024, Fields was largely viewed as a better fit in Smith's offense. He opened the entire playbook given his ability to add to the ground game and he figured to make running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren better with his gravity.
Given Smith's propensity to run the ball, that proved to be meaningful in Pittsburgh's 4-2 start. But when Wilson opted into passing plays at the line of scrimmage, taking his patented "moon balls" that turned into completions at a decreasing rate as the season continued, the offense failed to remain a cohesive unit.
That doesn't necessarily rule Wilson out. But if Fields finds greener pastures and now obvious candidate emerges in free agency, the Steelers may enter Year 2 of an arranged marriage.
"But part of the process will be making sure Wilson and Smith can work together and not butt heads over how the offense should operate," Dulac continued. "If that can't be resolved, then Fields, who appears to be favored by some of the coaching staff, becomes the likely choice to be re-signed."
There was speculation that Fields had Smith's backing when head coach Mike Tomlin made the pivot to Wilson after Week 6. The veteran winning six of his first seven starts ended that discussion, but as conversations continue, Fields must be considered a more likely option than his second-string status initially suggests.
As a cheaper, more versatile option, Fields might not be able to promise better production, but he can provide continuity and a stronger fit with a coaching staff Pittsburgh isn't eager to change. That could very well be the deciding factor in an offseason-defining choice.
