Steelers GM Omar Khan Accidentally Shows Hand Regarding Honest Plan For Justin Fields

The Pittsburgh Steelers were expecting to replace Ben Roethlisberger immediately when they drafted Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Fast forward just two years later and the University of Pittsburgh product is set to compete for the Philadelphia Eagles. Mason Rudolph's emergence at the end of the 2023 campaign caused a domino effect, which led to General Manager Omar Khan dealing the disgruntled signal-caller in Pickett across the state of Pennsylvania. Russell Wilson joined in free agency, while Khan also improved the room by trading for former Chicago Bears first-round pick, Justin Fields.

Given the fact that Fields was selected in the first round back in 2021, the Steelers will have the opportunity to accept or decline his fifth-year option for the 2025 season. While it has been overwhelmingly accepted that the expensive year five option won't be picked up, it appeared as if Khan showed his hand a couple weeks too early when speaking to members of the media on Monday.

Khan and Head Coach Mike Tomlin got in front of cameras and recorders to discuss the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft. When referring to the team's quarterback situation, the head of the front office specifically mentioned that the organization has three signal-callers on one-year deals. Khan hinted that Fields will either be a free agent in 2025, or playing in Pittsburgh on a new contract.

"We have three guys that are on one-year deals. We have to be open to it," Khan said.

Khan refused to rule out the possibility of the Steelers drafting a quarterback, which is what he was referring to in the latter part of the aforementioned quote. It doesn't mean a rookie will be looked at as the future, but it would be nice to have a young arm under contract for more than just the 2025 season. No one is quite sure what the plans are outside of the organization, but it's not going to be a high priority in the 2024 NFL Draft, regardless of uncertainty surrounding it.

It's extremely likely that Pittsburgh takes on the same approach with Fields as the Green Bay Packers did with Jordan Love. The expense of his fifth-year option wasn't justifiable based on a small sample size, so they agreed on a short-term deal instead. This worked out for both parties as Love is now in line for a big contract after proving himself to the Packers' front office and staff.

No one expected the Steelers to elect the fifth-year option for Fields, as it is much more likely that Najee Harris' is picked up at a much smaller price point. It will be an interesting process internally trying to figure out if Fields is the future or Wilson has several good years of football left in him. Regardless, the team has decisions to make before the 2025 new league year begins.

Khan's words weren't meant to deliberately state that Fields' option wouldn't be picked up, but the comments all but ensure that he won't be cashing in on a huge pay day in his fifth professional season, unless he takes the starting job from Wilson and dominates on the field. As of now, the quarterback of the long-term future in Pittsburgh is unbeknownst to everyone.

Steelers Feeling Effects Of Roethlisberger's Retirement

Pittsburgh was spoiled from 2004 through 2021 with Roethlisberger at the helm. There have been struggles ever since he left town, and now no one is quite sure who will be the next great quarterback to wear the Black and Gold. Don't rule out it being Fields, but it's clear he will have to earn his way to not only a new contract, but maybe even a simple second year in the Steel City.