Former WR says Ben Roethlisberger has selfish reason to support Steelers re-signing Justin Fields

Pittsburgh Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger raised eyebrows when he said on a recent episode of his podcast he feels the club should re-sign backup quarterback Justin Fields over 2024 first-choice starter Russell Wilson this offseason. 

During Thursday's edition of FS1's "The Facility" program, former NFL wide receiver James Jones offered quite an accusation regarding why Roethlisberger publicly backed Fields. 

"Big Ben knows they ain't going to the Super Bowl with Justin Fields," Jones remarked, as shared by Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot. "So he knows they gonna be able to talk about me, Big Ben, and my Super Bowl team for 10 more years. Because we all know Justin Fields is not the quarterback to take us to the Super Bowl." 

The Steelers haven't found a long-term answer at the sport's most important position since Roethlisberger retired following the 2021 season. Meanwhile, head coach Mike Tomlin agreed with Jones' assessment during the 2024 campaign, as Tomlin started Wilson from Week 7 through Pittsburgh's wild-card playoff loss even though Fields previously went 4-2 as the team's QB1. 

"He knows that there's no Super Bowl appearance or championship coming from Justin Fields," Jones continued while speaking about Roethlisberger. "...Why would you want Justin Fields over Russell Wilson and endorse him? Why wouldn't you say, 'Man, whoever the Steelers choose, they got my support.'"

The Steelers reportedly could pivot from Fields to Wilson if the former isn't signed before the free-agent negotiating window opens on March 10. Additionally, some have suggested that the Steelers haven't yet convinced Fields to pass on becoming a free agent on March 12 because Tomlin and Co. fear the 26-year-old can't take the club where it wants to go as soon as next winter. 

Pittsburgh continues to be linked in reports with Aaron Rodgers of the New York Jets. Assuming Rodgers has fully recovered from the setbacks he dealt with this past season, he may be a better win-now option than Fields. 

"...You're endorsing this dude because you know that he can't take [Pittsburgh] to the Super Bowl," Jones added about Roethlisberger's comments on the Fields-Wilson situation. 

If nothing else, it will be interesting to see if the future Hall of Famer responds to Jones during an upcoming edition of the "Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger" podcast.