The current sense is that the Pittsburgh Steelers want to move forward with Justin Fields as their quarterback, but the two sides have not been able to land a deal yet, and time is ticking with the start of free agency just a few days away.
If Fields doesn't stay in the Steel City, he should have a robust market in a thin free agency QB class. Matt Verderame of Sports Illustrated thinks the Indianapolis Colts would be an ideal landing spot for the 26-year-old QB. The Colts haven't been heavily linked to Fields, but they are a team with quarterback question marks, as Anthony Richardson hasn't panned out yet.
"Fields hasn't lived up to his first-round draft stock, but he's a talented youngster with dual-threat abilities. In other words, the perfect fit for coach Shane Steichen," Verderame wrote. "If the Colts are serious about opening up a full-blown quarterback competition this summer with Anthony Richardson, adding Fields would be a good way to do that without breaking the bank."
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 1, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Former NFL agent Joel Corry expects Justin Fields to get a Sam Darnold-type of contract in free agency. Darnold received a one-year, $10 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings last year.
"Fields' plan should be to find the best opportunity to be a starting quarterback, just like Darnold did in free agency last year," Corry wrote . "Darnold signing a one-year, $10 million deal with the Vikings is going to pay big dividends for him."
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated also expects Fields to receive a similar market as Darnold's in the 2024 offseason.
"Speaking of the Steelers, this is, of course, a big week for Pittsburgh to try to get Justin Fields re-signed," Breer wrote . "He'll have options elsewhere—one team would be the New York Jets , and I wouldn't be stunned to see Indy throw its hat in the ring—if he gets to the market. I think he has a shot to get a deal like Sam Darnold got with the Minnesota Vikings last year."
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