Pittsburgh remains without a solution at quarterback for the 2025 season.
In the week leading up to the NFL free agency period, there was a growing sentiment that the Pittsburgh Steelers were prioritizing re-signing either quarterback Justin Fields or Russell Wilson prior to free agency — both of whom are set to become free agents at the start of the new league year.
It’s looking increasingly unlikely that it happens, though — at least for Fields, Alan Saunders of Steelers Now reported Saturday. Though the team’s preference has appeared to be Fields, who just turned 26, Saunders reports that there’s an increased likelihood that he’d test free agency.
Saunders writes, “The Steelers made an offer to Fields’ representatives sometime over the last week, but the Steelers and Fields are not particularly close together in terms of the compensation that would be necessary for Fields to forgo hitting the open market to re-sign with Pittsburgh, league and team sources told Steelers Now.”
There are several teams in dire need of a quarterback, and there have been frequent reports of strong interest from the New York Jets, who are moving on from Aaron Rodgers after two years with the team (one season of which he missed with a ruptured Achilles). Then, of course, there’s the Seattle Seahawks, newly in need of a quarterback after trading starter Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a third-round pick on Friday evening. There’s also the New York Giants… and Indianapolis Colts, currently seeking some competition for starter Anthony Richardson, who’s struggled in his time in the league with injuries and as a passer.
In short, there should be a fairly active market for Fields, even if he’s considered more of a bridge quarterback than he is a long-term starting option. Once he hits the open market, it seems likely his value jumps beyond a price the Steelers are willing to pay. And if that does end up the case, the options are likely dwindle rather quickly. Aaron Rodgers? Kirk Cousins? The market, not the draft class are plentiful in 2025.