The Pittsburgh Steelers have a new, and what should be improved, quarterback room as they head into the 2024 season. Russell Wilson and Justin Fields were both acquired during the offseason, but one of them might not be in Pittsburgh for long as they will both be free agents at the end of the upcoming season. Pittsburgh needs to see if either quarterback should be the team's relied upon starter as the organization moves forward.
Eventually, Pittsburgh is going to have to pay one of these quarterbacks, draft someone, or sign someone new via free agency. The organization is in the middle of trying to find the future at the position in a post-Ben Roethlisberger world. If Fields can find a way onto the field, or prove his worth in any way, he could be looking at a future in Pittsburgh. Sports Illustrated's Connor Orr recently wrote an article predicting the futures of several quarterbacks around the league, including Fields.
"Personally, I think Fields started to really come on as a passer. He was better in two-minute situations and still has an excellent touch on the football. I think with time, effort and good coaching, he could round into a consistent top-12 player at the position. That said, he is very much a free agent at the end of this season and has what so many quarterbacks do not: incredible movement skills and the ability to accelerate any offense where the run and pass are intimately tied together. Fields will re-sign with the Steelers on a Baker Mayfield–style three-year deal at season’s end."
Fields has improved throughout his career, and the Chicago Bears had the first overall pick with a generational talent available to them. Had they had any other pick in the 2024 NFL Draft Fields would likely still be in Chicago. His struggles so far in his career have been undeniable, but the same can be said about his limitless potential.
Baker Mayfield's future was once in question, and it felt like he may never be a starter in the NFL again. He signed a one-year 'prove it' deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023, and played well while leading them to the Divisional Round of the playoffs. He earned himself a new three-year contract, worth $100 million. $40 million was guaranteed on the deal.
Mayfield threw for over 4,000 yards, 28 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions during the 2023 season. He also led Tampa Bay to winning their division. It's extremely unlikely Fields will be given the opportunity to do any of that in 2024. Wilson would need to struggle mightily for Fields to get a chance. Unless the Steelers see something special in Fields through practices alone, a deal like this for Fields is extremely unlikely to happen in Pittsburgh.
If Wilson is bad and moves on after 2024, maybe Fields signs a one-year deal in the same way that Mayfield did in 2023. If he plays well in that season, which would be 2025, then maybe Fields could see a bigger contract with the Steelers. It will be interesting to see how the situation plays out.
Steelers' Russell Wilson Expected To Move On After 2024
In the same article, Orr also predicted that 2024 will be Wilson's only season wearing the black and gold. He continues to suggest that Pittsburgh will begin to view Fields as the future at the quarterback position, which would leave Wilson as a free agent following the 2024 season. He predicts that Wilson would then sign with the Carolina Panthers.
The Panthers employ a lot of coaches were on the staff with Wilson when he was on the Seattle Seahawks, so the crossover there is obvious. Orr suggests Bryce Young's struggles will continue in 2024, and Wilson would come in as a mentor for Young to learn from.
