Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields are both set to become free agents, but their values are very different.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields could both have the chance to test their values on the open market this offseason. As of now, they are expected to receive very different deals.
According to Spotrac , Wilson is projected to receive a two-year, $77.46 million contract on the open market. That would put the 36-year-old's per year average at about $38.7 million, which would be the 16th highest in the NFL , behind Rams ' Matthew Stafford ($40M per year) and in front of Jets ' Aaron Rodgers ($37.5M per year).
Fields, on the other hand, is only projected to receive a one-year, $6.43 million contract, per Spotrac .
It's quite a jarring difference between the two quarterbacks who shared playing time during the 2024 season in Pittsburgh, but if it holds, the choice is obvious.
Steelers president Art Rooney II already said his preference is to bring back one or the other for the 2025 season.
"I think they're both capable quarterbacks and my preference would be to sign one of them," Rooney said. "So that'll be the priority, and I think that will give us the best opportunity to move forward."
If Fields would agree to a contract that paid him about $6 million per year, the Steelers should be rushing to get that deal done.
The 25-year-old threw for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns and just 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.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields runs during a game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 29, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Fields was eventually benched for Wilson once he was finally healthy from his calf injury , but the season ended how most of the past seven years had for Pittsburgh — a first-round exit in the playoffs.
That should be enough for the Steelers to want to go in a different direction in 2025. Fields' projected market value should only add to his argument.
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