The Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback situation has been in limbo since Ben Roethlisberger retired in 2022. This off-season, questions will continue to be asked about the position’s future, with both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields’ one-year contracts having expired after the Steelers’ humiliating first-round playoff loss to Baltimore Ravens.
With no starting-caliber quarterbacks signed to the team for next year, the Steelers will have to give at least two signal-callers new contracts before the team reports for training camp in Latrobe. Here are some of the possibilities:
Russell Wilson, 36
Wilson is a longtime NFL veteran who held the Steelers’ starting job for the majority of last year’s campaign. He is undoubtedly one of the game’s greatest players, ranking top-20 all time in passing yards and touchdowns and appeared consecutively in Super Bowls XLVII and XLIX with the Seattle Seahawks.
Despite these accolades, Wilson is not the player he once was. He will turn 37 next season, which would make him one of the league’s oldest quarterbacks. That age has started to show up in his play. Once a great improviser, he proved on several occasions last season that his legs cannot provide the same production in unstructured situations as they once did. This, coupled with his 5’ 11” frame, made it hard for him to play at the same level people remember him playing at while in Seattle.
Additionally, sources report that Wilson will expect somewhere in the neighborhood of $40 million annually on his next deal. Many fans and members of the media view that as too steep a price for a nearly 40-year-old quarterback with what appears to be a declining level of play.
Wilson is unquestionably a great person to have in the locker room, but it is unclear if he will be able to perform at a level high enough to make his asking price worth it.
Justin Fields, 25
While he was intended to be the Steelers’ backup for 2024-25, an early-season injury to Wilson’s calf thrust Fields into the starting job for the team’s first six games. The former first-round pick went 4-2 as a starter, throwing five touchdowns to just one interception, while also adding on five rushing scores.
Fields is one of the NFL’s best dual-threat passers. As a member of the Chicago Bears in 2022, he became only the third quarterback in league history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season, joining Lamar Jackson and Michael Vick in that exclusive club. He is one of the league’s most athletic quarterbacks, and his strong arm, blazing speed, and 6’ 3” frame make him a project worthy of investing in.
However, Fields’ track record does raise questions. Prior to joining the Steelers, he was a combined 10-28 as a starter and threw 30 interceptions to only 40 touchdowns. While he seemed to show signs of improvement as a passer during his brief appearances for the Steelers, questions remain about his decision making and accuracy.
While Fields has work to do in order to become a polished NFL passer, his athleticism and running ability give him some of the highest potential amongst the candidates for the Steelers’ job.
Aaron Rodgers, 41
Similarly to Wilson, Rodgers is another of the past generation’s best signal-callers. Since the New York Jets announced they’d be moving on from the California native, reports have indicated that the Steelers would be interested in pursuing Rodgers’ services for next season.
Rodgers wreaked havoc on the NFL for most of the 2010s. After succeeding Brett Favre as the Green Bay Packers’ starter in 2008, he has been named to 10 Pro Bowls, won four MVP awards, and claimed a ring after winning Super Bowl XLV.
After his success in Green Bay, Rodgers left the team to become the New York Jets’ starter in 2023. His initial season in East Rutherford was cut short when he tore his Achilles tendon on the first drive of the season.
This year, he played in all 17 games, but put up some of the lowest numbers of his career. While he is absolutely one of the greatest quarterbacks in league history, he is not the player he used to be. At his age and coming off of as serious of an injury as a torn Achilles, it is unlikely he returns to the form he once had in Green Bay.
Rodgers is also a controversial character off the field. He is outspoken about his political and cultural opinions, and often makes the news for the unique recovery methods he takes part in. It’s never good when a quarterback is talked about for his off the field antics just as much as his on field performance.
While he would bring a wealth of experience and winning culture to the Steelers, Rodgers’ age, injury history, and controversial character make him a risky pick to be the team’s next starting quarterback.
Jalen Milroe. 22
The only college QB on this list, the Crimson Tide quarterback’s draft stock has gone down after Milroe led Alabama to one of its worst seasons in recent memory.
Milroe is a similar player to Fields as a quarterback who is excellent on the ground. He rushed for more than 500 yards in each of the last two seasons, and found paydirt in the end zone an impressive 20 times this year.
He is strong as a runner, but can be inconsistent when throwing the ball. Many scouts see him as a prospect similar to Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, who was an elite athlete but streaky passer while at Florida.
It’s unclear where Milroe will be taken in April’s draft. It seems like the general consensus is that he could be selected anywhere in the first three rounds. We’ll see how he performs at the combine and other off-season workouts, but if he is on the board on days two or three of the draft, I wouldn’t rule out the Steelers from taking a shot on the Alabama senior.
Others to consider:
Sam Darnold, 27
Darnold had a breakout year for the Vikings, making up for a mediocre first few years in the NFL. While he may be the best option available this offseason, his asking price of almost $40,000,000 per year may be more than the Steelers are willing to stomach.
Jameis Winston, 31
Known just as much for his personality as his performance, Winston is a veteran that would be ready to go from day one. Winston does carry with him a reputation for reckless play, highlighted by his 2019 season where he threw for 5,109 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 30 interceptions. That number of picks put him at fifth all time in a single season, and while he has shown some improvement since then, questions still must be asked about his decision making.
Jaxson Dart, 21
The Ole Miss product could be a safer option if the Steelers are looking for a rookie. Initially seen as a mid-round prospect, his draft stock has been rising after a strong combine in Indianapolis. He lacks the athletic potential of Milroe, but would be a more polished and pro-ready passer than the Alabama man if the Steelers were to select him.
My Pick: Justin Fields
If I were Steelers GM Omar Khan, I would work on extending Justin Fields as soon as possible.
Fields is only 25 years old, and showed great flashes both on the ground and through the air in his limited opportunities this season. If he is given the off-season to prepare as the #1 guy in the Steelers’ quarterback room, I trust that he will develop the confidence and ability to reach his extremely high potential.
The NFL is evolving, and it is an absolute necessity to have a quarterback that can escape the pocket and improvise under pressure. Fields has proven he is stellar in that department, and with an off-season of hard work, I have no doubt that he will be able to become just as polished as a passer.
By signing Justin Fields, the Steelers will lock down a young player that has a chance to be their franchise quarterback and one of the league’s biggest stars. Time will tell if they make that choice, and if he lives up to his potential.
