The Pittsburgh Steelers have a big decision to make after the 2024 season ends at the quarterback spot. Russell Wilson and Justin Fields both have had some good moments in the 2024 season, but after the recent three-game losing streak, Wilson's future in Pittsburgh is more up in the air than initially thought.
Fields may have played himself into a nice contract somewhere else. The Steelers will need to decide which direction they want to go at quarterback for the future of their franchise. The options are to offer a new deal to Wilson, who is 36 years old, offer a new deal to Fields, who is 25 years old, or go outside the organization to find a quarterback. The Steelers haven’t been the same since the days of Ben Roethlisberger.
On Monday, Roethlisberger revealed what he would do for the future of the quarterback spot on his podcast posted on the Channel Seven YouTube channel. Roethlisberger has high hopes for the Steelers' future at quarterback. In an ideal scenario, he admits he’d love to see both Wilson and Fields remain with the team.
"I think he has played well," Roethlisberger said when speaking about Wilson's possible new deal. "I personally I don’t know if I would give him like a four or five-year $200 million deal. I think a great deal is that three for $100 if you want to keep him coming back. I think if you got another really good wide receiver two and give him another weapon... I think you are gonna see Russ’ game really do well. I think the line would get better."
Roethlisberger was cautious about the idea of overpaying Wilson, but believes that, based on his performance in the 2024 season, Wilson has done enough to earn a new three-year deal worth roughly $100 million.
Just a month ago, many Steelers fans would have supported that idea, but Wilson's recent struggles have raised concerns. Despite this, Roethlisberger isn’t ready to move on from Wilson—nor is he prepared to let go of Fields either.
"You need a quarterback in this league to win," Roethlisberger said. "I would do everything I could to try and sign Russ to like a two-year deal. I would try to keep Justin as well."
Roethlisberger emphasized the importance of stability and long-term vision at the quarterback position. He pointed out that while Wilson brings experience and leadership, his performance hasn’t consistently lived up to expectations during the critical stretches of the season. Roethlisberger also believes Wilson hasn’t had enough support this season and thinks he could perform at an even higher level if given better help in 2025.
Steelers May Risk Missing Out On Possible Franchise QB In Justin Fields
On the other hand, Fields offers youth, athleticism, and flashes of high potential but still carries questions about his consistency as a passer. Roethlisberger suggested that the Steelers must prioritize building an offense tailored to their quarterback choice, whether it’s Wilson, Fields, or an entirely new face under center.
Ultimately, Roethlisberger stressed that Pittsburgh needs to avoid short-term fixes and focus on a clear direction for the franchise. The Steelers' defense remains one of the best in the league on paper, and with the right quarterback leading the offense, they could return to championship contention.
Whether they choose Wilson's experience, Fields' potential, or an outside option, the decision will shape the team’s trajectory for years to come. For now, the Steelers' primary focus is on addressing the issues that have plagued their defense and helping Wilson return to the form he displayed before the recent three-game losing streak.
