Jeremy Fowler of ESPN revealed on Thursday that that both Justin Fields ' camp and the Pittsburgh Steelers have a mutual interest in reaching a deal this offseason. There's internal optimism within the Steelers organization that a deal will be reached.
Fields is set to become a free agent next month and should have plenty of suitors. Staying in Pittsburgh could be his best option, however.
"I know that there is some internal optimism or some sentiment for Justin Fields as an option as their quarterback moving forward," Fowler said on SportsCenter. "And that both sides are open to a potential deal."
The Steelers are still deciding if they want to re-sign Russell Wilson , Fields or start fresh at quarterback in 2025. Fields has already been receiving a lot of praise from other teams around the league, one of which is the New York Jets . Fowler said the feeling is mutual for Fields.
"They could have some interest. They like the idea of a dual-threat quarterback," Fowler said on "SportsCenter." "He's younger. I'm told Fields has looked at that roster, sees some intrigue there too. They have some good young pieces, like Garrett Wilson and a good defense."
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields at practice on Nov. 26, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Fields reportedly has one demand if he's going to re-sign with Pittsburgh, and that's a realistic shot to start. That wasn't the case last season when Russell Wilson was in pole position to start and eventually replaced Fields in Week 7 after he recovered from his calf injury.
If the Steelers bring in a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers or Matthew Stafford , Fields most likely will move on from Pittsburgh.
"This one's complicated because I do know there's some sentiment in the building for bringing back Justin Fields," Fowler said. "Both sides, Fields and the Steelers, are certainly open to a potential reunion. Fields wants a realistic shot to start. He wants a clear path to be the guy for a full season, which he was not last year."
Things were seemingly going well for Fields in 2024. The Steelers were 4-2 and in first place in the AFC North. Overall, through six games, he threw for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception. He also had five rushing scores.
That wasn't good enough, however. Mike Tomlin inserted Wilson into the starting lineup in Week 7. And that was it. Fields did not start another game in 2024.
Tomlin thought Wilson gave the Steelers the best chance to compete for a Super Bowl. That obviously didn't come to fruition, as the Steelers were once again one-and-done in playoffs.
Fields could have made a scene about being benched, but he didn't. He handled the situation like a true professional, and that was noticed around the league, according to Pete Prisco of CBS Sports .
"I think he's intriguing. He's only 26. The age is right. He's also flashed last year at times when he played for the Steelers. I thought he did some really good things. When they put him in packages later in the season, he did some really good things. He never complained. He could've complained; he could've moaned and groaned about putting the old man in instead of letting him play quarterback, but he didn't. A lot of people around the league I talked to were impressed by the way he handled the whole situation," Prisco said.
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