Union Of Russell Wilson And Justin Fields Gives Steelers NFL's Most Uncertain QB Situation

The story for everyone else right now is the Pittsburgh Steelers have settled their quarterback room because they've done a lot of work the past 10 days -- bringing in Russell Wilson, letting Mason Rudolph go in free agency, trading Kenny Pickett and on Saturday trading for Justin Fields.

The Steelers, the narrative goes, are set at quarterback for the 2024 season, and they have done great work in the process. And that is probably correct if you put extra emphasis on the 2024 season portion of that.

Because the Steelers have, in fact, gone the short-term gain route for their quarterback issues. 

Jan 7, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA;  Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) looks to throw a pass during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers In Unique QB Situation

But, the truth is, that in the process they've embraced the possible long-term pain route beyond 2024. They have what looks like the most uncertain quarterback situation long-term in the NFL. And that doesn't say one word about performance for either player, which has been inconsistent at best in recent years.

That's quite a unique situation to be in, and especially to choose to be in. Most teams, the good ones anyway, want as much certainty as possible at quarterback. They have their quarterback tied to contracts for years. 

The Chiefs, Ravens, Bills, Eagles, Browns, Bengals, Rams, and others do. Even the New York Jets, Cardinals, Falcons and those that may or may not be good teams have worked to find some certainty at quarterback for multiple years.

Still, other teams that don't have that certainty, such as the Dolphins, Cowboys, Packers and Lions, are this offseason going to be working on contract extensions to get their long-term quarterback business in order.

But here we have the Steelers, who just added two big-name quarterbacks – one a former Super Bowl winner, the other a first-round pick in 2021 – and they have zero certainty at QB beyond 2024.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 24: Russell Wilson attends 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards - Arrivals at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on February 24, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images)

Wilson, Fields Both On Expiring Contracts

That's because neither Wilson nor Fields are locked in to contracts for 2025.

And the amazing thing is the Steelers will remain status quo until further notice.

The Steelers are embracing the NFL's funniest, but also truest, unofficial acronym: Not. For. Long.

No one is really speaking that truth out loud. 

Right now what you're hearing is Wilson welcoming his new best friend Fields to the 'Burgh. 

Wilson Thinks Steelers QB Are Fire

Wilson, you see, was signed on Wednesday so, as the senior member of the Steelers quarterback corps, he wanted to make Fields at home after he was traded from the Bears on Saturday evening.

"We have engaged in multiple trade conversations in recent weeks and believe trading Justin at this time to Pittsburgh is what is best for both Justin and the Bears," Bears general manager Ryan Poles said after the trade. "Today we spoke to Justin to inform him of the trade and the rationale behind it for us as a Club. We want to thank him for his tireless dedication, leadership and all he poured into our franchise and community the last three years and wish him the best towards a long and successful NFL career."

The thing is, Wilson believes the addition of himself and Fields to the Steelers' quarterback room could be fire – as in red-hot and effective – based on his emoji use on social media.

I'm telling you that quarterback room could also be fired, as in burned to ashes with nothing left behind.

Wilson is on a one-year deal with the Steelers. And because he is due to collect $39 million guaranteed from the Denver Broncos, who released him, the Steelers swooped in and signed Wilson for a whopping $1.21 million – the NFL minimum for a player of Wilson's experience.

That's where the Steelers' commitment to Wilson begins and ends. 

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 18: Justin Fields #1 of the Chicago Bears walks off the field after a loss to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on September 18, 2022 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Justin Fields Won't Get 5th Year Option

If Wilson plays really well in 2024, the Steelers will likely want to continue the relationship next year. That's the plan. But if he doesn't, or if something goes amiss as it did in Wilson's relationship with Broncos coach Sean Payton, well, then …

Good-bye.

Fields is in the exact same situation. He is in the final year of his rookie contract. That contract guarantees Fields $3.23 million in 2024, which is a bargain even for a backup quarterback. But that's it.

Fields is unsigned for 2025.

The only way the Steelers can assure themselves that Fields returns beyond next season is exercising a fifth-year option before May 2, or signing him to an extension at some point in the next year.

The Steelers are not going to exercise the fifth-year option on Fields because he has not played even one down for them. And it would cost them upwards of $19.9 million that is fully guaranteed, according to Spotrac.com.

The Steelers aren't doing that when their presumptive starting quarterback, which Wilson will be to begin the season, is only making $1.21 million from them.

So for Fields to extend his career with the Steelers beyond this year, he'd have to be a great backup and sign a backup contract after the season. Or he'd need a chance to play, be better than he ever was with the Bears, and earn a full-fledged starter's contract one year for now.

Again, that's a lot of uncertainty.

The Steelers are obviously comfortable with the situation. But even they would admit in private it's not optimal to have perhaps the NFL's most uncertain quarterback situation.