Reporter, columnist predict if Steelers will re-sign Russell Wilson or Justin Fields

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields both remain on track to reach free agency when the new league year opens on March 12 amid rumors suggesting either could stay with the club for at least another season. 

During a Sunday evening appearance on Pittsburgh television station KDKA, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette columnist Jason Mackey predicted that Wilson will remain the Steelers QB1 through Week 1 of the 2025 campaign. 

"I think I agree with him," Steelers insider Mark Kaboly of "The Pat McAfee Show" responded, as shared by Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot. "I think Justin's gonna find more money, more opportunity, a better place somewhere else."

Specifically, stories have linked Fields with the New York Giants and New York Jets. Those clubs are looking for bridge options and long-term answers regarding their quarterback situations, but it's unclear if Fields will sign with a team that's not willing to immediately name him the starter.

As recently as last week, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler noted that "Wilson has made the Steelers a priority" and that Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin "feels a commitment or a loyalty to Wilson." Tomlin showed that loyalty when he started a healthy Wilson after Fields guided the 2024 Steelers to a 4-2 record and when Tomlin stuck with the one-time Super Bowl champion during a five-game losing streak that lasted through the wild-card round of the playoffs. 

The perception exists that Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith prefers Fields over Wilson. However, Tomlin allegedly "makes most of the decisions in Pittsburgh" and has "got a lot of pull" as it pertains to roster construction. 

While some have teased that the Steelers could pursue Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams, Cleveland Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer is among those who believe the Rams and Stafford will come to some sort of agreement that will keep him Los Angeles' starter for at least one more season.

Steelers owner and president Art Rooney II insisted last month that his "preference" is to re-sign either Wilson or Fields. Things could change before the free-agent negotiating window opens on March 10, but it sounds as of the final Monday of February that Wilson is the more likely of the two to be with Pittsburgh at this point next month.