The Steelers need a little bit of stability behind center, and it would appear that one of their quarterbacks last year will provide that next season.
After having what appeared to be a true open competition between former Bears first-round pick Justin Fields and Broncos castoff Russell Wilson to begin last season, Steelers president Art Rooney II said they are ready to settle on a longer-term deal with his “preference” to only bring back one of the quarterbacks back.
3 Russell Wilson started off 6-1 as the Steelers starter. Getty Images
“I wouldn’t close the door, but I’d say it’s probably unlikely,” Rooney said Monday, per ESPN. “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 went 10-7 in 2024 but lost their final five games, including a 28-14 loss to the Ravens in the wild-card round.
Steelers Quarterback Games started Record as starter Pass yards per game Completion percentage Passing touchdowns per game Interceptions per game Total rush yards Rushing touchdowns Russell Wilson 12 6-6 229.33 64.1 1.5 .42 161 2 Justin Fields 6 4-2 184.3 66.25 .83 .17 231 5 Stats are only for game started. Includes playoffs.
Wilson, 36, hurt his calf in training camp, allowing Fields to have the first crack at starting, jumping out to a 4-2 record before being benched for the veteran.
“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.”
Wilson has previously expressed an interest in finishing his career in Pittsburgh.
3 Justin Fields was mostly used in a gadget role after starting the season as starter. Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
“My goal is to be with the Pittsburgh Steelers for a long time, hopefully, finish my career there, God willing,” Wilson said.
However, the door is still open or Fields to be the winner here, as Rooney added that age could be a factor in who they decide to bring back.
“I think you have to take that into consideration,” Rooney said. “That’s a factor.”
The Post’s Ryan Dunleavy had previously reported that the Giants, who hold the No. 3 pick, could have some interest in Fields as they head into a 2025 NFL Draft that lacks elite quarterback prospects.
The unusual QB situation could not have started off better with Wilson going 6-1 in his first seven starts, while Fields was demoted to more of a gadget role.
3 Mike Tomlin gave Russell Wilson the starting role after starting 4-2 with Justin Fields. Getty Images
Things fell apart for the Steelers from there as they lost their next five, including a wild-card loss to the Ravens, and headed into an offseason where Mike Tomlin’s future was put into doubt.
Tomlin rebuffed any opportunities to throw the Steelers under the bus, and Pittsburgh rejected any temptation to trade their longtime head coach.