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NFL insider proposes nightmare QB scenario for Steelers if Justin Fields and Russell Wilson walk away in free agency

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Rob Gregson | Last updated Mar 10, 2025 6:00 AM ET

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been dragging their feet on a QB decision.

It's well documented that their top two targets are Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, and in that order.

But if things were to fall through, a bevy of other options have been floated, including one that would set the Steelers back years...

Kick the tires on Daniel Jones, you say?

If Pittsburgh hangs on to Fields, it’s hard to figure where Russell Wilson lands. And even in the scenario where Fields departs, and the Steelers can’t upset the apple cart with Darnold (I think that’ll be too rich for their blood), I could see Pittsburgh kicking the tires on Jones before going back down the road they traveled last year.

- Albert Breer, Sports Illustarted

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Danel Jones received a raw deal with the New York Giants, there is no doubt about that. Multiple coaches and regime changes, horrible offensive lines and a lack of weapons, it was far from an ideal surround system for Jones.

But a QB with 20 more losses than wins, a quitely lengthy injury history and a season where he recorded more interceptions than TDs under his belt (all be it injured) shouldn't even be an option for a team that views themselves as contenders.

Are there better options than Russell Wilson or Justin Fields? Probably. Some might argue Aaron Rodgers, and Sam Darnold had a 2024 season that Steelers fans wish they could see from their quarterback.

So those are the four names that should be in play, not Daniel Jones. Justin Fields offers a similar package, at a younger age, with more familiarity to the scheme and better overall instincts than Jones.

Oh, and he's the Steelers' preferred choice.

One of the hottest topics around the combine last week was what the Pittsburgh Steelers will do at QB for 2025. Both Justin Fields and Russell Wilson are set to become free agents, and the team is only expected to attempt to retain one of the two. Nearly everyone in Indianapolis believes the team prefers to extend Fields and let Wilson walk. But they also think signing Fields to a new deal won't prevent the Steelers from doing their homework on the QBs in this year's draft class. It's not out of the question that the Steelers retain Fields and draft a QB with a valuable pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

- Destin Adams, A to Z Sports

The trade for WR D.K. Metcalf could throw a wrench in things with Fields wanting to pursue the open market. Perhaps it signals the return of his QB from Seattle, Russell Wilson, or it means a bigger fish, Sam Darnold.

We will find out soon enough.