Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger believes the team's quarterback situation could hurt it this offseason.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a big decision to make at quarterback this offseason. Will they re-sign Russell Wilson , Justin Fields or start fresh? No matter the answer, former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger thinks that could prevent them from landing some of the NFL's top free-agent talent.
"Potentially, yes," Roethlisberger said on the latest episode of "Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger." "I think coach Tomlin has always been the veteran selling point, bringing free agents in. Like, they want to play for Tomlin, which will never change. But yes, there's definitely going to be guys that are going to question, 'Well hey, what are you doing at quarterback?'"
Neither Wilson nor Fields showed enough to prove they should be the Steelers long-term starting quarterback in 2024.
Fields threw for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns and one interception while leading the Steelers to a 4-2 start to the season. He also rushed for 231 yards and five touchdowns during the span.
However, the 25-year-old was ultimately benched when Wilson was fully healthy from his calf injury .
Wilson then took over and rattled off six wins in the next seven games. But the 36-year-old began to show his age on the team's five-game losing streak to end the season.
Nonetheless, in an offseason that is expected to have weak free agency and rookie quarterback classes, the Steelers are almost forced to run it back with one or the other.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields at practice on Aug. 1, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
That decision could come down to what each quarterback will cost on the open market.
Roethlisberger fears that still might not be enough to entice free agents to come to Pittsburgh, though.
"Until that stability is answered, and even if it is answered, like right from the get go it's, 'We're going Fields or we're going Russ,'" Roethlisberger said. "Whichever way it is, there still might be guys that are like, 'You know what, that style of play or that quarterback doesn't fit what I want to do, so I'm not going to come.'"
If that's true, that bodes bad news for a team that is heading into an important offseason when it must find ways to improve its roster.
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