The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing for a pivotal offseason, with team owner Art Rooney II revealing that it is “unlikely” both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields will remain with the organization heading into next season.
Rooney acknowledged the challenges of managing two quarterbacks who both view themselves as starters.
“I wouldn’t close the door, but I’d say it’s probably unlikely,” Rooney said of keeping both. “I think both of them see themselves as starters and I don’t know that they want to share the same job again next year.
“So, I would say most likely we probably don’t wind up bringing them both back.”
The Steelers, who have yet to commit to a long-term solution at quarterback, brought in Wilson last offseason after his relationship with the Denver Broncos soured.
Shortly after, Pittsburgh made a surprising trade for Fields, sending a sixth-round draft pick to the Chicago Bears.
These moves followed the departure of Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, and Mason Rudolph, which left the team’s quarterback room in need of an overhaul.
Despite the optimism surrounding both acquisitions, it now appears one of the two quarterbacks will be let go.
Wilson signed a one-year contract with the Steelers, while Fields is entering the final year of his rookie deal.
Notably, Rooney hinted that the organization’s preference is to keep just one of them moving forward.
“They’re both capable quarterbacks, and my preference would be to sign one of them,” he said. “So that’ll be the priority, and I think that will give us the best opportunity to move forward.
“We’ve got a whole quarterback room to fill, and so there’s jobs open in there. I wouldn’t be surprised if we look in the draft as well either this year or next, and so that’s got to be the priority.”
Fields started the 2024 season as the Steelers’ quarterback, guiding the team to a 4-2 record before being replaced by Wilson in Week 7.
Wilson finished the year with a 6-5 record as a starter, including a 28-14 Wild Card playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The team ended the regular season second in the AFC North at 10-7.
The positive momentum Wilson had initially built-up came to a crashing halt towards the end of the season.
Despite the midseason switch, Fields and Wilson maintained a positive relationship. Fields often contributed in designed rushing plays even after Wilson took over as the primary quarterback.
However, their differing career trajectories may force the Steelers to choose between them. At 36 years old, Wilson is nearing the end of his career, while Fields, a former first-round pick, is still viewed as a possible long-term option.
“It sort of takes two to tango, and so we’ll see where it goes,” Rooney said. “I think my preference would probably be to have something more than a one-year in place next time around, but we’ll see what it takes.
“I thought both Russ and Justin showed promise in certain stretches during the season, and I think they’re both capable of being starters in this league. So we have decisions, and they have decisions, too.”
Wilson has publicly expressed his desire to return to Pittsburgh next season, but rumors have linked him to the Las Vegas Raiders, who recently hired his former Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll.
Meanwhile, Rooney’s comments suggest that Fields’ youth could play a key role in the team’s decision-making process.
“I think you have to take that into consideration. That’s a factor,” Rooney admitted.
Whoever remains with the Steelers could be in line for a longer-term deal, though Rooney hinted at uncertainty regarding the team’s big-picture quarterback plans.
Rooney also left the door open for the Steelers to explore other options at quarterback, including the NFL Draft. (And possibly Aaron Rodgers?_
What are your thoughts on Rooney’s comments? … What should the Steelers’ quarterback plans be heading into next season???
