Justin Fields

The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to be patient regarding the future of the team's quarterback position.

An opposing NFL executive told Mike Sando of The Athletic that the Steelers are content to let the season play out before making any hasty decisions on the future of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.

"They took the last two quarterbacks available for $1 million apiece last offseason and were winning with Justin Fields, so they are not going to be strong-armed," the executive said.

Wilson has led the Steelers to a 5-1 record as a starter, and he appears to be headed towards an eventful free agency after signing a one-year, $1.2 million contract with Pittsburgh in March.

"If he goes to the playoffs and they win a playoff game and lose to the Chiefs in a close one, you are telling me he is not going to get Daniel Jones-type contract offers around the league?" the executive added, per Sando.

Jones, the former starting quarterback of the New York Giants and current Minnesota Vikings backup, signed a four-year extension worth $160 million with the Giants during the 2023 offseason.

While some front offices may be hesitant to hand Wilson a long-term deal at 36 years old, it's not hard to see why he'd generate interest in free agency. He's completed 65.8 percent of his throws for 1,626 yards and 10 touchdowns compared to just three interceptions.

Still, the Steelers were off to a 4-2 start before Wilson was active during the regular season. Fields, who is also slated to enter free agency in 2025, started the first six games of the year for Pittsburgh.

Head coach Mike Tomlin's stellar track record should also give the team confidence to remain competitive with or without Wilson, as he's now clinched a winning record in all 18 of his years with the organization.

The Steelers may target a reunion with the veteran as a free agent, but they're reportedly not going to be forced into making certain contract decisions at quarterback.

Chase Daniel, former 13-year NFL veteran, said on Thursday that the league is "split" on Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields.

"I feel like the league is sort of split on Justin, some love him, some hate him," he told The Athletic's Dianna Russini on the Scoop City podcast (24:45 mark).

Fields' future with the Steelers has been uncertain since he was benched in Week 6 for the return of veteran Russell Wilson.

The fourth-year player out of Ohio State was traded to the Steelers from the Chicago Bears in March. The Steelers declined his $25.6 million option for 2025.

The 2025 NFL quarterback draft class lacks significant excitement and with the Las Vegas Raiders in desperate need of a franchise quarterback, Fields could be on the move.

"The only team that makes sense for me is the Las Vegas Raiders," said Daniel. "To me they're in a situation where you need somebody to step in and to sort of be a bridge type guy. You can get him for pretty cheap I would guess, under $8 million a year I would guess."

Daniel added, "I would be surprised if he doesn't end up there, it makes all the sense in the world."

Fields has thrown for 1,106 yards with five touchdowns and one interception this season. He will look to impress potential future teams if given the opportunity to be on the field when the Steelers face the Cincinnati Bengals on the road this Sunday.

Russell Wilson wants to be the Pittsburgh Steelers' full-time starting quarterback.

While Wilson praised Pittsburgh's coaching staff as well as teammate Justin Fields, he explained that he "always" wants to be on the field following a 24-19 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football.

"Listen, I always want to be in there," Wilson said, per Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. "That's just the competitor in me. But at the same time, we have great trust in Justin, our team, our coaches and everything we're doing."

After trailing 18-6 in the fourth quarter against the Browns, Wilson led Pittsburgh's offense on consecutive touchdown drives in snowy conditions to take a one-point lead.

The Steelers earned another possession following an interception by cornerback Donte Jackson with just over four minutes remaining, although Fields entered the game as the team attempted to run the clock out and secure the win.

The strategy didn't work, as Pittsburgh's drive stalled and the Browns scored the game-winning touchdown on the ensuing possession. Wilson returned for the final drive, but he couldn't find the end zone with just 50 seconds left in regulation.

Following the game, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin revealed that the weather didn't factor into his decision to utilize Fields.

"No, I don't think the weather was a factor," Tomlin told reporters, via Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. "We had intentions on using him and we did. I don't know that the weather conditions were a factor in that decision-making."

Fields started the first six regular-season games for Pittsburgh in 2024, leading the team to a 4-2 record. Wilson dealt with a calf injury to open the year, but he started under center for the first time in Week 7 and hasn't looked back since.

He's completed 63.1 percent of his throws for 1,212 yards and seven touchdowns to go along with two interceptions in 2024.

Fields initially didn't see any playing time in Wilson's first three starts, but he's appeared in Pittsburgh's past two games and picked up 43 rush yards on five attempts.

While Tomlin may continue to use both quarterbacks moving forward, the veteran expressed his preference to stay on the field throughout all four quarters.

The New York Giants are expected to be in the market for a new quarterback this offseason after benching Daniel Jones this week, and some around the NFL believe they could be a landing spot for another former first-round pick.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that he's been hearing Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Field could be an option for the Giants because he's the type of quarterback who can be effective under head coach Brian Daboll.

"A few scouts floated to me that Fields could be a fit for Daboll, who knows how to use mobile quarterbacks and can scheme up defined throws for him," Fowler stated.

Fowler went on to add that Fields isn't exactly a perfect fit because he presents some of the same issues that the Giants experienced with Jones, but he could be a stopgap if the team selects a quarterback in the 2025 draft.

"The knock on Fields -- hesitancy in the pocket -- has been the same knock on Jones, but Fields could at least serve as a bridge option while a draft pick develops," Fowler wrote.

Fields opened the 2024 season as the Steelers' starting quarterback after veteran Russell Wilson reaggravated a calf injury toward the end of training camp. He led Pittsburgh to a 4-2 record while completing a career-high 66.3 percent of his passes for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns and an interception. He also had five rushing touchdowns before Wilson returned to reclaim the starting role.

The Giants would welcome that kind of production, as Jones has proven to be an ineffective starter. The 27-year-old threw for 2,070 yards, eight touchdowns and seven touchdowns while adding two rushing scores as New York tumbled to last in the NFC East with a 2-8 record.

With Jones now on the bench, the Giants are left to turn to popular backup Tommy DeVito as they try to stop their five-game losing streak when they face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6) on Sunday.

The Pittsburgh Steelers used backup quarterback Justin Fields for a couple of plays Sunday in their 18-16 home win over the Baltimore Ravens, most notably a nine-yard rush as the AFC North leaders were running out the clock in the win.

Fields, who was the Steelers' starting quarterback for six games before Russell Wilson returned from injury, could perhaps be seen as a "gadget" player at this point.

However, Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith doesn't see it that way, going so far as saying that Pittsburgh has "two starting quarterbacks" during a Tuesday chat with reporters. He also referenced his time as the Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator when mentioning then-starter Ryan Tannehill and backup Marcus Mariota.

"There's a fine line to it. I don't view Justin in this role as a gadget guy. Justin to me, we've got two starting quarterbacks. Hell of a football player, so if he can help the team..."

"And there's a fine line. I've done it a little bit in my past. We did it down the stretch with Ryan Tannehill and Marcus Mariota, but different situation. So when you have the opportunity to add things up, and just the way the game was going, throw something at 'em and put another dynamic football player out there, that certainly helps us."

Fields hadn't played the last three weeks leading up to the Ravens game, but he was called into action twice Sunday.

First, Fields ran for eight yards on 2nd-and-11 early in the third quarter to set up a 3rd-and-3 at the Baltimore 41-yard line. Wilson then came back in and tossed a two-yard pass to Jaylen Warren. Pittsburgh opted for the 57-yard field goal try, which Chris Boswell drilled for a 12-7 lead.

Second, Fields rushed for nine yards on 2nd-and-10 from the Pittsburgh 30 with 1:02 left. This one was a bit hairy, as Fields slid short of the first down marker, forcing Pittsburgh into a 3rd-and-1. But it was no big deal as running back Najee Harris picked up the first down on the next play, effectively ending the game.

Pittsburgh has a quick turnaround this week with the team visiting the Cleveland Browns on Thursday evening. Wilson is still clearly QB1, but perhaps we'll see some more Fields as well as the Steelers look for their sixth straight win.

Despite some outside skepticism about Russell Wilson's ability to play at a high level coming into the 2024 season, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has been very pleased with what he's seen from the nine-time Pro Bowler in his first two starts.

Speaking to reporters after Monday's 26-18 win over the New York Giants, Tomlin said he's "not surprised" by what Wilson has done since replacing Justin Fields as the team's starting quarterback.

Wilson finished the game 20-of-28 for 278 yards and one touchdown. He has thrown for more than 250 yards in each of the past two games. It's the first time all season a Steelers quarterback has at least 250 passing yards in back-to-back starts.

The Steelers have also put up more than 400 yards of total offense in consecutive games for the first time since the 2018 season. They are averaging 31.5 points per game in Wilson's two starts, more than 10 points better than their average in six games with Fields (20.7).

Perhaps the most important difference in the offense under Wilson is it has taken advantage of George Pickens' big-play ability. The star receiver has 185 yards and one touchdown on nine catches in his last two games. He had 363 yards with no touchdowns when Fields was starting.

These types of big splash plays are the reason that you bring in Wilson. He still has some of his negative tendencies like holding onto the ball too long, which has led to him being sacked five times in 57 pass attempts.

But the overall results have been extremely positive for a Steelers team that is now alone in first place in the AFC North with a 6-2 record going into their bye.

The context of these two wins is worth pointing out because they were against the Giants and New York Jets, who are a combined 4-12 this season.

Things will get more difficult for Wilson and the Steelers when they return from their bye in Week 10. They play back-to-back games against the Washington Commanders and Baltimore Ravens.

Pittsburgh also has games remaining against the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs and another game against the Ravens in Baltimore on Dec. 21.

Wilson being able to get his legs back under him with these two games will serve him well as the Steelers prepare for their second-half gauntlet.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields is dealing with a hamstring issue, but NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that he avoided a "major injury."

According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, Fields will be listed as Pittsburgh's emergency third-string quarterback for Monday night's game against the New York Giants.

The news comes after Rapoport added that Fields would test his hamstring before his status was determined against the Giants. He reportedly wasn't forced to miss any practice time because of the injury.

Despite this setback and how often he runs, Fields has been fairly durable in the early portion of his career. He appeared in 15 games in 2022 and 13 games last season for the Chicago Bears and made the first six starts this year for the Steelers while Russell Wilson was sidelined.

Fields went 4-2 in those six starts and has played fairly well this season while completing 66.3 percent of his passes for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns and one interception.

He also has 231 yards and a team-high five touchdowns as a runner, which isn't surprising since that mobility has been the best part of his game since entering the league as a first-round pick in 2021.

The Steelers decided to turn to Wilson after the veteran returned following those first six games and will surely continue to rely on him if Fields is sidelined with this injury.

Still, the Ohio State product gives the offense an additional dimension that Wilson doesn't because of his electrifying running ability, and Pittsburgh will surely want that skillset as an option even if Fields isn't the primary starter under center.