Could Steelers pick Justin Fields over Russell Wilson this offseason?

As recently as last week, at least one NFL insider suggested that Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin could once again choose veteran Russell Wilson over Justin Fields this offseason with both quarterbacks set to reach free agency when the new league year opens in March. 

Not everybody is convinced of that coming off Pittsburgh's wild-card playoff loss to the rival Baltimore Ravens.

Steelers insider Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette revealed on Monday that Fields "was favored by some of the (Pittsburgh) offensive coaches to be the starter" over Wilson this past summer and that the team "liked the way (Fields) developed from his Chicago days in the six games he started" before Wilson returned from a lingering calf injury. 

"What’s more," Dulac continued, "any of the top quarterbacks who are expected to be available in free agency — Aaron Rodgers, Sam Darnold, Kirk Cousins, Daniel Jones — do not appear to interest the Steelers more than what they have with Fields." 

The Steelers reportedly "have no interest in" pursuing Rodgers if the New York Jets move on from him in March. The Minnesota Vikings can retain Darnold's rights for 2025 via the franchise tag if they don't sign him to a long-term deal. Many believe Cousins will ultimately join the Cleveland Browns after free agency begins, and Jones would be a project similar to what Fields was last offseason. 

Fields guided the 2024 Steelers to a 4-2 record but lost the starting job to a healthy Wilson in Week 7. Under Wilson, Pittsburgh ended Week 14 at 10-3 before the club endured a five-game losing streak through the postseason matchup in Baltimore. 

According to Pro Football Reference, Wilson finished this past regular season ranked 26th among qualified players with a 51.4 adjusted QBR and 14th with a 95.6 passer rating. To compare, Fields was 27th with a 50.8 adjusted QBR and 19th with a 93.3 passer rating. 

On Tuesday, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler shared that some "NFL team executives, scouts and personnel figures" think the Steelers could sign Fields over Wilson and then "draft a quarterback fairly high" this spring. Pittsburgh holds overall pick No. 21 in this year's draft but could grab a signal-caller in the second round or later.