The Pittsburgh Steelers have hopefully set themselves up for quarterback success by bringing in two veterans, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. After a couple of years of inconsistent play, the Steelers desperately need a solid quarterback to win in new Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith's run-heavy offense.
While nothing in football is guaranteed, the Steelers know uncertainty looms for the 2025 season. Wilson and Fields are on one-year contracts, with Fields still on his rookie Chicago Bears contract. Both are in unique situations where they must prove their value to the team.
Wednesday, ESPN's Adam Schefter said that the Steelers are unlikely to sign Fields' fifth-year option. That contract extension would have been worth $25.6 million. While that isn't unreasonable for a starting quarterback, it is tough to swallow, considering he hasn't played a single snap as a Steeler.
Gerry Dulac, from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, recently joined Steve Jones on his show, The Steve Jones Show on WKOK News 1070 AM, to discuss the Steelers' 2024 season. Jones asked Dulac about the decision not to extend Fields. Dulac indicated he wasn't surprised, but that it doesn't mean a deal isn't coming.
"I was told shortly after the trade for Fields that they weren't going to pick up the fifth-year option, so what I saw out there as breaking news by ESPN was old... That was not going to happen, and why would it? They'd have to pay him $22 or $25 million this year and that is preposterous. I think you will see them give him a contract extension of at least two years to keep him around."
Many fans fear that the Steelers are just putting a Band-Aid on their quarterback woes, signing two players who underperformed with their last teams. While both players are very cheap for 2024, there is worry the team will be left without a solid starter and do this all over again in 2025.
The Bears drafted Fields in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. It is impossible to deny Fields' raw talent and how exciting he can be when he runs. Unfortunately, that's not always enough to win games. The Steelers see something special in Fields, and Dulac expects them to show that by offering him a new contract, perhaps sooner than we thought.
"You know they didn't bring him in for a one-year trial. They are planning to go forward with these guys. With Justin Fields, it might even happen before the season starts. Get that contract extension to lock him up to make sure there is no free agency departure next year. That is certainly the intent," said Dulac.
Seeing how this will all play out for Fields will be fascinating. While Head Coach Mike Tomlin has already indicated that Wilson will have "pole position," Fields will have every opportunity to compete.
Fields has to show Tomlin that he has the killer instinct some say he lacks, that he can move effectively within the pocket, and that he can make good decisions. He needs to show that his critics were wrong and that his struggles in Chicago resulted from bad coaching and/or chemistry.
Steelers' Mike Tomlin Might Be Just What Justin Fields Needs
Whether you love him or hate him, Tomlin forms a special connection with his players. New players commonly say that playing for him is part of why they chose the Steelers. He gets to know them personally, knows their families, and is interested in their personal lives. He invests in them, and in turn, the Steelers are family to them and not just co-workers.
That is why some think he might be just the coach to help course-correct Fields' career. Fields struggled during his time in Chicago, and the new change of scenery might be good for him. But he will also benefit from a coach who understands players, like Tomlin. He can help restore confidence Fields might have lost.
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