The Steelers probably will not pick up the fifth-year option for new quarterback Justin Fields . This is according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
This decision also means that the Steelers will have all three of their quarterbacks, all of them signed over the past six weeks, on one-year deals. The contracts all will expire at the end of the 2024 season.
The Bears selected Fields, the former Ohio State star, in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Because of his first-round status, the Bears had the option of picking up the fifth-year of his contract. When the Bears sent Fields to Pittsburgh, the Steelers then owned the option, which would pay Fields $25 million in 2025.
The Steelers started over with their quarterbacks, whether it was planned this way or not. First, they signed Russell Wilson, days after the Broncos released the veteran after two years in Denver. The Broncos still owe Wilson most of his guaranteed contract. This means that the Steelers are only paying the quarterback the NFL veteran-minimum.
Meanwhile, the Bears also were making big changes at quarterback. Thanks to a trade with Carolina in 2023, Chicago owns the No. 1 pick of Thursday’s NFL Draft. The Bears are the heavy favorites to select USC’s Caleb Williams. Fields had started for three seasons in Chicago. But drafting Williams made Fields expendable. The Steelers were a willing trade partner.
Then, Kenny Pickett, the Steelers starter for the past two seasons, requested a trade. Pittsburgh honored the request and sent Pickett to the Eagles. Mason Rudolph and Mitch Trubisky moved on, with Rudolph going to the Titans and Trubisky signing with the Bills.
Pittsburgh also signed journeyman Kyle Allen as the third teamer.
Steelers GM Omar Khan addressed the Fields’ option earlier this week. He said the team has yet to make a decision. It’s also the same for running back Najee Harris.
“Yeah, we have ‘till May,” Khan told reporters during a pre-draft press conference. “I’ve said this before we have until May 2nd to make that decision. So, we’ll focus on the draft this week, and I’m sure we’ll have some serious conversations about that next month.”
There also have been rumors that the Steelers may pick a quarterback during the three-day NFL Draft. There’s still work to be done to perfect the quarterback room.
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