The most important move of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offseason will be settling on the correct quarterback(s) to compete in 2025 and shape the long-term future of the franchise. As things stand, that seems to be largely between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.
Both played significant time in 2024 and exceeded expectations, Fields starting the season 4-2 and Wilson winning six of his first seven before a late-season slide ended Pittsburgh’s playoff aspirations.
However, both are set to be free agents in March, and neither seems interested in returning to the same unstable role in 2025. One may return, but the Steelers won’t head into next season with Wilson and Fields vying for first-team reps.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson
Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
On Radio row, NFL insider Jay Glazer revealed the Steelers’ decision on Russell Wilson potentially signing with Pittsburgh in free agency.
“I don’t think that’s gonna happen, either,” he said on Fantasy Football Happy Hour. “I think you’ll see a new start for Russell somewhere.”
He also ruled out the veteran quarterback reuniting with head coach Pete Caroll with the Las Vegas Raiders.
“That’s not gonna happen,” Glazer said. “That’s not gonna happen.”
While the immediate response to Glazer’s reporting is to pivot to Fields, the insider didn’t seem to think it was as sure a thing as media speculation would suggest.
“I’ve got no idea,” he said, before hesitating at the thought of guessing Fields. “These guys … they’re at the Senior Bowl, and so all of a sudden next week they have Combine meetings. And so they’re gonna have to start talking about free agency, what’s out there.”
Several free agent quarterbacks are expected to hit the open market, some of which could be viewed as upgrades over the 2024 combination. Between Sam Darnold, Jameis Winston, and Jimmy Garoppolo – among others – Pittsburgh isn’t necessarily out of veteran options. It is, however, without many paths to feeling optimistic about 2025.
Perhaps an alternative arrives via trade or the NFL Draft. But what once looked like a simple decision may be more complicated, and drawn out, than fans anticipated.
“I don’t think they know who their starting quarterback’s gonna be yet.”
