The Steelers’ party line of wanting to extend the Russell Wilson partnership beyond this season began shortly after the QB’s signing. It continued deep into the season, as the team zoomed to 10-3. But Wilson struggled down the stretch, as Pittsburgh’s schedule stiffened, and lost his final five games as the team’s starter.

Wilson wants to stay with the Steelers, but his value took a hit down the stretch. Signs of frustration with Wilson emerged within the Steelers, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes. This would stand to affect the team’s desire to bring the 13-year veteran back at a higher rate. Wilson’s grip on the Steelers’ starting job never appeared to loosen once he recovered from his calf injury, but the Mike Tomlin-led decision to bench Justin Fields was not unanimous.

A historically sack-prone quarterback, Wilson stayed on this course. The Chiefs, Bengals and Ravens combined to sack him 13 times over the past three weeks. The Steelers never found a reliable No. 2 wide receiver, though Mike Williams did resemble one sporadically, and they dealt with two significant offensive line injuries — to Troy Fautanu and James Daniels. While veteran Steelers insider Mark Kaboly notes Fautanu will be ready for OTAs — after the first-round tackle suffered a dislocated kneecap, Wilson may not be a lock to join him.

Wilson’s momentum screeched to a halt late in the season, and he is now 36. The quarterback did see drop issues plague the offense against Cincinnati, and he fired a laser to George Pickens — the primary culprit vs. the Bengals — for a touchdown against the Ravens. But the nine-time Pro Bowler trended downward during the season’s defining stretch. Pegging Wilson’s value, even on a weak QB market, will be tougher as a result.

A December estimation on this market moved to the Baker Mayfield place — three years, $100MM — but after the Steelers’ nosedive, it would be surprising if Wilson received that kind of offer from the Steelers. The Steelers do not negotiate in-season, so no talks have taken place. It would stand to reason the sides will huddle up, but the franchise has now gone eight seasons without a playoff win. Wilson was only involved in one of those years, but it also makes sense for the Steelers to explore a better option. Though, the team continuing to win and camp as an upper-middle-class operation makes finding one difficult.

Fields joins Wilson as a free agent and only saw action on a handful of plays, as a gadget option, after Wilson recovered from his nagging injury. That said, the Steelers entered the season open to exploring a long-term deal with their younger QB, and Breer adds the team “would love” to keep working with the 25-year-old passer. Though, the veteran reporter cautions the team might be interested in keeping Fields as a backup. That would stand to be a sticking point for the 2021 first-round pick, who could conceivably draw QB1 interest elsewhere — as a stopgap, if nothing else — during an offseason featuring a thin free agent market and a maligned rookie prospect pool.

Wilson is set to join Kirk Cousins — who will almost definitely be released, despite Falcons hopes at trading him — as aging starters on the market. No QB played this season for between $12.5MM per year and $25MM per annum, and only two players (Gardner Minshew and Geno Smith) populated that salary range. Mayfield’s $33MM-AAV pact is next on that list. Both Steelers QBs may be threats to expand that unpopulated QB middle class between Minshew and Smith.

Fields completed 65.8% of his passes to Wilson’s 63.7, though the latter threw 336 passes to Fields’ 161. Fields’ 7.4 yards per attempt also bettered Wilson’s number (6.9). Wilson did finish the regular season with a 16-5 TD-INT ratio, while Fields’ issues through the air again revealed themselves ahead of his October benching. The three-year Bears starter should still generate conversations about a starting gig somewhere; that will increase his value potentially beyond the Steelers’ comfort zone — if the AFC North club is set on him as a backup-only option, at least.

Plenty needs to be sorted out for the Steelers, who have smashed their heads against a low ceiling for a while now. The team is expected to retain Tomlin for a 19th season; he and Omar Khan will have a significant decision to make soon.

With Russell Wilson having returned to practice on a full-time basis, signs have recently pointed to a quarterback change in Pittsburgh. The former Seahawks Super Bowl winner all-but confirmed on Thursday he will be in action for Week 7.

“It’s the first game of the year for me,” Wilson said (via Mike DeFabo of The Athletic). “But I’ve been fortunate to be in a lot of first games. So the confidence is there obviously.”

Wilson was atop the depth chart throughout the offseason, one in which Justin Fields was also acquired via trade as the Steelers moved on from Kenny Pickett. Fields found himself earning first-team training camp reps due to Wilson’s calf injury, and he gained support in the organization. Wilson reaggravated his calf shortly before Week 1, positioning Fields to fill in as QB1 to begin the year. The former Bears first-rounder was a candidate to retain his starting role even when Wilson was healthy, but that will not be the case for at least the time being.

The Steelers sit at 4-2 on the season, but their offense has not been productive through the air with Fields at the helm. Pittsburgh sits ninth in rushing yards per game, but only 28th passing yards; overall, the team ranks 20th in scoring at an average of 20.7 points per game. With room for improvement, Wilson will get the nod against the Jets on Sunday. Fields himself understands the thinking behind his demotion, one which threatens to keep him sidelined for the remainder of the campaign.

“At the end of the day, I got a few wins,” the 25-year-old said (via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor). “Of course, I’m glad about that, but there’s areas that I could be better at and I’m just going to continue to work on those and continue to get better.”

Fields’ 2024 completion percentage (66.3%) is much higher than any of his Chicago campaigns, and his 5:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio is a positive sign in terms of avoiding turnovers (although fumbles have been an issue so far). With 231 yards and five scores on the ground, Fields obviously provides a much different skillset than Wilson, 35. It will nevertheless be the latter under center this week.

Both Wilson and Fields are pending free agents, and their market values will be determined by their respective performances. Head coach Mike Tomlin said earlier this week that consideration will be given to using both quarterbacks moving forward. How that possibility plays out will of course depend in large part on the way the offense operates with Wilson in place as he looks to rebound from the underwhelming two-year Broncos tenure which resulted in his release this spring. Struggles in his Pittsburgh debut will no doubt lead to calls for a quick change back to Fields, but success could produce a step forward through the middle portion of the campaign.

Although the Steelers handily defeated the Raiders in Week 6, Justin Fields‘ work is now under scrutiny. The quarterback has strung together two shaky passing performances, and consideration is now being given to benching the offseason trade pickup.

Mike Tomlin has refused to name Fields his full-time starter, but Russell Wilson practiced fully last week and suited up in a QB2 capacity in Las Vegas. Wilson won the Steelers’ starting job out of the preseason but has been unable to shake a calf injury. Tomlin has wanted Wilson to show he can stay healthy before reopening the conversation about the full-time QB job. Fields’ recent play looks to have pushed this conversation back to the forefront.

The Steelers are set to give Fields and Wilson first-team reps in practice this week, Tomlin said. The 18th-year Pittsburgh HC said Wilson has knocked off the rust that came from aggravating the calf issue, via Underdog Fantasy’s James Palmer and ESPN.com’s Brooke Pryor, and is under consideration to start in Week 7.

Further clouding this situation, Tomlin said (via Palmer) the Steelers are open to using both quarterbacks. While an arrangement not too dissimilar from Kordell Stewart‘s mid-1990s part-time role would be an interesting continuation to the Steelers’ 2024 QB plot, Wilson was all but assured he would win this job this offseason. The potential Hall of Famer’s new team had established him as the clear frontrunner, but once he suffered the calf injury early in training camp, the 13th-year vet saw the more athletic Fields narrow the gap. The Steelers waited until a few days after the preseason ended to name Wilson the starter.

While the Broncos did demote Wilson to close out last season, his contract was at the root of the move to Jarrett Stidham. Wilson has never been a true QB2. The decorated passer being moved into that role on a full-time basis would almost certainly not sit well, considering he won the job initially. That makes this week of practice pivotal for Wilson’s career and Fields’ future.

It still makes more sense for the Steelers to consider a second contract for Fields than Wilson, seeing as the former is more than 10 years younger. Fields’ age-25 season started decently, with the Steelers 3-0, and then included a 312/55 day in a loss to the Colts. A depleted Cowboys defense kept Fields in check, however, and he was 14-for-24 for 145 yards — albeit with two rushing touchdowns — against the Raiders. A penalty also negated a Fields INT, helping bring Wilson back into the mix for Week 7, when the Steelers will host the Jets.

Reports of Fields having done enough to keep his job have emerged this season, but a September offering pointing to Wilson being likely to return to the starting role suddenly appears more relevant. Should Fields play fewer than 51% of the Steelers’ offensive snaps, the Bears would only receive a 2025 sixth-round pick. Fields hitting that threshold, as he is currently on track to, would send a 2025 fourth to Chicago. The Bears will have a vested interest in how Wilson performs in practice this week, as Tomlin shifting course would affect the NFC North team’s draft assets.

OCTOBER 11: Tomlin confirmed on Friday Wilson had a strong week of practice without experiencing any setbacks (video link via Pryor). As a result, he will “probably” dress as Pittsburgh’s backup on Sunday. Fields has at least one more week atop the depth chart, but a poor outing now that Wilson is healthy would of course lead to renewed speculation a change could be made under center.

OCTOBER 8: Mike Tomlin has taken full advantage of the extended runway Russell Wilson‘s injury has provided Justin Fields. After not naming a starter until days after the preseason, the veteran Steelers HC is taking his time on a second starter call.

The loser of the Steelers’ summer QB battle, Fields has started the first five games while Wilson has recovered from his nagging calf injury. Pittsburgh will still start Fields in Week 6, but Wilson is moving close to being active — as a non-emergency quarterback — for the first time this season.

Wilson is set to practice fully for the first time this season, Tomlin said Tuesday. The 13th-year QB will do so when the Steelers begin practicing Wednesday, but while Wilson won the job out of preseason, he will work with the team’s second-string offense this week. Tomlin said (via SI.com’s Albert Breer) Wilson will take the second-team reps in order to not disrupt Fields’ preparation. Wilson has a chance to be active for the first time, with Tomlin adding (via ESPN.com’s Brooke Pryor) the “door is ajar” to Wilson suiting up against the Raiders.

These past several weeks marked Wilson’s second rehab effort on his balky calf. The injury initially sidelined him early during training camp, and after the free agency addition returned for preseason play, it recurred just before Week 1.

Wilson’s second injury hiatus has lasted longer than the first, with a slew of limited practices doubling as a gradual ramp-up period. Will that ramp-up be for a return to a starting role or the backup? Tomlin has dodged this decision for a bit and has said (via Breer) Wilson must prove he can stay healthy, but with the veteran passer en route to full strength, the seasoned leader will need to make a true decision (again) soon.

Long viewed as the QB who would start for the Steelers this season, Wilson held his pole-position status until he won the race. But the competition narrowed, as Fields impressed many in the building. In his five starts, Fields has submitted up-and-down work. QBR slots the dual-threat passer 22nd. Fields had delivered low-wattage, game-managerial showings to help the Steelers to 3-0. He threw for 312 yards while rushing for 55 in a loss to the Colts, but the pass rusher-deficient Cowboys stymied him in Week 5. Fields posted just 131 passing yards (4.9 per attempt) and 27 on the ground, an effort that may have reopened the door for Wilson.

Pittsburgh’s 3-0 start created an expectation that Fields would keep the job. He is 10 years younger than Wilson, at 25, and looks to have a better chance of being an option — based on Wilson’s Broncos years and recent injury trouble — to be the Steelers’ 2025 starter. But the Steelers named Wilson their initial starter for a reason. After Kenny Pickett‘s struggles, it would surprise if Tomlin gave Fields an especially long leash.

It will be interesting to see if Wilson or his camp voices frustration with Tomlin’s plan, should the de facto backup reach the point where he feels he is healthy and not being given a shot to reclaim his job. For now, though, Fields will keep the controls and hope to rebound after last week’s effort.

Russell Wilson logged his first full practice of the regular season today, moving Mike Tomlin toward an ultimate call on where his quarterback situation now stands.

The 13th-year veteran won this job out of the preseason, but Justin Fields had closed the gap after this Steelers offseason pointed to the more experienced player having a decisive advantage. Fields’ age, rushing ability and potential (along with Wilson’s Denver struggles) long made him a threat, regardless of the Pittsburgh party line. Now, the potential Hall of Famer is in danger of seeing a full-on demotion take place. The Steelers are set to start Fields on Sunday, and while Tomlin said he needs to see Wilson sustain health before revisiting his QB decision, he has lost considerable momentum.

Although the Broncos benched Wilson to close last season, the accomplished vet’s contract was at the root of that situation. No such issue exists now, and the Steelers are likely moving toward installing Fields as their starter. With this call approaching, ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano notes he has not received indications that Fields is on thin ice entering Week 6. The Steelers being fairly confident in their backup-turned-starter would create an interesting situation soon, as Wilson certainly did not sign with the team to operate in a reserve role.

Wilson beat out Matt Flynn as a rookie and never looked back, starting every Seahawks game until a 2021 finger injury forced him back to the sideline. No debate existed about Geno Smith‘s status at the time; Wilson immediately regained his job upon recovering. Wilson missed time in Denver due to injury, but Brett Rypien obviously never became a threat. Jarrett Stidham ultimately replaced Wilson, but the Broncos’ initial starter finished last season with 26 touchdown passes and eight interceptions.

Granted, Sean Payton did not exactly turn his starter loose as the Broncos mounted a five-game win streak last season; Wilson only eclipsed 200 passing yards in one of the team’s wins during that streak. Denver’s HC also dressed down Wilson publicly prior to the benching. QBR also slotted Wilson 21st last season. Being demoted for Fields would mark new territory for Wilson, who may well consider his options if this scenario unfolds.

The Steelers gave Wilson a no-trade clause, familiar for Wilson but not for most NFLers, and the veteran could look to be moved if he loses his job due to the calf injury that has slowed him on two occasions since training camp. Holding that clause, however, could lead to a Wilson release rather than a trade. That would give him freedom to choose a destination. Of course, it would also require the Steelers to bail on a player who would turn into important depth, as Wilson would be a far better backup option compared to Kyle Allen.

Fields sits 22nd in QBR and was at the helm for three Pittsburgh wins to start the season. He then dropped a 312-55 game in a loss to the Colts. The former Bears first-rounder has thrown five touchdown passes and one interception, though he struggled at points in a loss to the Cowboys. Fields has not submitted an open-and-shut case he should be the Steelers’ starter, especially after Wilson beat him out this summer, but he has long had supporters in the building. Expecting Fields to keep the job, Graziano adds many coaches and players have raved about the fourth-year player thus far.

It would surprise if the Steelers, considering the QB trouble they dealt with during Kenny Pickett‘s two seasons at the helm, would break up this pair so soon. Though, Tomlin’s “volunteers, not hostages” refrain could conceivably apply to his current QB situation soon. This is about to shift to a front-burner matter, as Wilson moves toward being active for the first time this season.