The Pittsburgh Steelers are at a crossroads with their quarterback state of affairs heading into the 2025 NFL offseason. With each Justin Fields and Russell Wilson set to grow to be free brokers when the brand new league 12 months begins on March 12, the crew should determine whether or not to carry again one in every of their present choices or discover exterior alternate options.
Among the many most intriguing potentialities is Fields, who has been labeled a boom-or-bust free agent. The previous first-round decide has proven flashes of elite athleticism, notably in extending performs and creating offense along with his legs. Nonetheless, issues stay about his consistency as a passer and total match as a long-term resolution.
Fields turned the Steelers’ starter in 2024, main the crew to a 4-2 document earlier than being changed by Wilson as soon as the veteran returned to full well being. Regardless of the restricted pattern dimension, Fields demonstrated progress as a passer and showcased his dynamic speeding skill, amassing 289 yards and 5 touchdowns on the bottom in these six begins.
Justin Fields may return to the Steelers in 2025 as their franchise QB
The Steelers’ offense, which struggled at occasions below Wilson, regarded extra explosive with Fields behind heart. His mobility not solely created alternatives within the passing recreation but in addition added an additional layer to Pittsburgh’s speeding assault. Given the crew’s different roster wants, Fields’ skill to generate offense exterior of construction may make him an interesting possibility.
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With quarterback-needy groups such because the New York Jets, New York Giants, and Indianapolis Colts reportedly monitoring Fields’ availability, Pittsburgh might need to act quick in the event that they need to retain him. Fields’ projected market worth sits at $6.4 million on a one-year deal—considerably decrease than Wilson’s anticipated $38.7 million wage.
That price ticket makes Fields a sexy possibility for the Steelers, who may allocate their remaining cap house to different positions of want. Nonetheless, if Fields turns into free company and a number of groups categorical curiosity, the price of bringing him again may rise.
The Steelers even have the choice of addressing the quarterback place within the 2025 NFL Draft. Nonetheless, with Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders anticipated to be the one first-round locks, Pittsburgh would seemingly must commerce as much as land an immediate-impact rookie. The extra seemingly state of affairs can be concentrating on a developmental quarterback, akin to Will Howard, within the later rounds to function a backup or long-term challenge.
Pittsburgh’s choice relating to Fields will form the course of the franchise transferring ahead. In the event that they imagine in his potential, a short-term deal is smart, permitting them to guage his improvement whereas preserving their monetary flexibility intact. If not, they could discover different choices, whether or not which means concentrating on a veteran bridge quarterback or trying towards the draft.
For now, the Steelers seem to have curiosity in bringing Fields again. Whether or not a deal will get finished earlier than March 12 stays to be seen, however the clock is ticking, and Pittsburgh should quickly decide if Fields is their quarterback of the long run—or simply one other boom-or-bust gamble.