The Pittsburgh Steelers have a quarterback problem, and it may not be solved any time soon.
Justin Fields started hot, but couldn’t earn enough trust to relieve Russell Wilson in any meaningful capacity, including a five-game losing streak that ended the Steelers’ season.
Wilson arguably earned that leash after winning six of his first seven starts, but after a 28-14 Wild Card Round loss to the Baltimore Ravens, it’s clear a Super Bowl isn’t in the cards.
As such, Pittsburgh is left with the ability to re-sign either passer, check in on a mediocre quarterback market, or draft a rookie to take the reins. Picking 21st overall makes finding a franchise quarterback difficult, and muddies the first-round waters in April.
A new report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler hints at a potential Steelers quarterback move that could land a rookie earlier than fans anticipate.
“Some executives believe the Steelers could bring back Wilson,” Fowler wrote. “But Fields is 25 -- 11 years younger -- and has an explosive skill set around which the team could build ... at least for one more year.
“‘I still think this could go either way,’ an NFL scouting director said. ‘Part of me feels like they bring back Russell. Either way, I expect them to draft a quarterback fairly high. They need someone who can be the answer long term.’”
Fans are justified to be fearful of a late-Day 1 quarterback. Pittsburgh overdrafted Kenny Pickett, which ended in disaster, and the 2025 class isn’t much different, especially after Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward come off the board.
A more likely option seems to be taking one on Day 2. Whether that ends up being Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, Ohio State’s Will Howard, Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard, or a separate passer, that’s a proper risk/reward balance to strike. It isn’t entirely clear which round that scouting director is referring to, but the opportunity to add a first-round player and a starting quarterback is enticing.
Sure, the hit rate isn’t as high, and some upside is being cut off the top. But this is a team that can win with mediocre quarterback play. At some point, it’s worth rolling the dice and giving the keys to a rookie, even if Wilson or Fields is rostered in the event of a slump.
In a quarterback-driven league, the Steelers know they don’t have one. How they handle the position could shape both the short- and long-term futures of the franchise.
