The Pittsburgh Steelers are staring down a major decision at quarterback as they head into the 2025 NFL season.
Both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields saw playing time in 2024, each showing flashes of promise.
However, neither was able to push Pittsburgh beyond its first-round playoff exit, a frustrating reality that has plagued the franchise in recent years.
With no clear-cut answer under center, the Steelers must now determine their next move – whether to stick with Wilson or Fields or take an unexpected turn in search of a fresh start.
Former Steelers safety and ESPN analyst Ryan Clark has a firm stance on what Pittsburgh should do at quarterback.
Speaking on NFL Live, Clark made it clear: Fields is the guy to bring back.
“I think they should re-sign Justin Fields,” Clark confidently said. “Here is why, I think you figure out, can he be the guy for the future? And if he bombs, at least, you can go high in the draft and get you somebody good, somebody that could play.
“There’s nobody on the market that you’re going to be able to get that’s going to come in there and outplay Justin Fields.”
Clark also pointed out the existing connection between Fields and new Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who could help unlock the young quarterback’s potential.
“Justin Fields is someone Arthur Smith is familiar with,” Clark continued. “If you hit the top of his potential, you have your guy.
“And if you can’t do some of those things that you didn’t, that you wanted to do, that you replaced him with Russell Wilson to do, then you’re not good enough anyway, and you go get a quarterback in the draft, but I don’t believe you bring Russell back to be good enough again.”
The decision isn’t as simple as choosing between two quarterbacks – it’s about deciding what direction the franchise wants to take.
Fields, despite being benched midway through the season, posted some of the best numbers of his career before losing his starting job.
He threw for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns, and just one interception, showing improvement in key areas.
However, when Wilson struggled late in the season, the Steelers didn’t turn back to Fields – raising questions about the team’s trust in him.
Continuity and a minor injury may have played a role in that decision, but it’s telling that Pittsburgh stuck with Wilson in the biggest moments.
The Steelers are not in full rebuild mode, but choosing Fields means embracing uncertainty.
If he doesn’t pan out, the team could find itself in a quarterback spiral – but as Clark pointed out, that could also set them up for a top draft pick and a long-term solution.
Pittsburgh isn’t about to tank, but rolling with Fields would be a philosophical shift for the franchise.
Instead of chasing a safe, short-term solution, they’d be betting on potential – with the risk that the bottom could fall out.
For now, the Steelers have a tough call to make: Do they bring back Wilson for stability, or take a gamble on Fields with an eye toward the future?
Or could they possibly make a run at Aaron Rodgers???
