Reporters suggest Steelers have made Justin Fields, Russell Wilson choice

Justin Fields and Russell Wilson of the Pittsburgh Steelers remain on track to reach free agency when the new league year opens on March 12 amid speculation regarding their futures. 

According to Steelers reporters Mark Kaboly of "The Pat McAfee Show" and Aditi Kinkhabwala of CBS Sports, Pittsburgh would prefer to run it back with Fields instead of Wilson. 

"I think they're waiting to see what kind of answer they get from [Fields]," Kaboly said during a Wednesday appearance on Pittsburgh sports radio station 93.7 The Fan, as shared by Jake Brockhoff of Steelers Depot. "And while they wait for him, they got to pretend. And I say pretend like they are interested in everybody just in case Justin Fields does not want to come here or gets a better offer somewhere else. I think it's always been Justin. I think he's [Pittsburgh's] No. 1 priority. But you can't put all your eggs in your basket...Justin Fields is the guy they want." 

Steelers general manager Omar Khan suggested that he'd be fine having either Fields or Wilson atop the depth chart for the start of springtime workouts. While stories continue to link Fields with quarterback-needy teams such as the New York Jets, New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts, Kinkhabwala previously reported that "coaches and general managers around the league" had revealed there was not much of a market for Wilson's services. 

"From all of the reporting that I have and all of the conversations that I've had with people in the building, everything I have been told is that he is not going to re-sign with the Steelers," Kinkhabwala said about Wilson during a Wednesday chat on 93.7 The Fan, per Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot. 

Fields guided the 2024 Steelers to a 4-2 record before he was benched in favor of a healthy Wilson from Week 7 through Pittsburgh's wild-card playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Even if it's true that the Steelers want to make Fields their new QB1, he could remain unsigned until he becomes eligible to begin speaking with other teams when the free-agent negotiating window opens on March 10. 

In short, the Steelers may have to pivot to their alleged "plan B" if they can't convince Fields to pass on free agency before the afternoon of March 12 arrives.