The Steelers' quest for a starting quarterback of the future has stopped because of their QB of the present.
While 2025 is a long way away and plenty of things can happen, sources say Pittsburgh's starting QB for next season is likely already on the roster. Russell Wilsonhas gone a long way toward putting himself in position for that role with his performance since taking over the starting job for the AFC North-leading Steelers.
Wilson is 5-1 as a starter heading into today's rematch against the Browns, having taken the opportunity to resurrect his career after two brutal years in Denver and ran with it. In offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's system, he's produced his best passer rating since 2020, has thrown 10 touchdowns against three interceptions and is rushing far less than he ever has.
It's all working.
The Steelers began 2024 with the cheapest QB room in the NFL, with Wilson on a veteran minimum deal and Justin Fields on his rookie contract. Both needed to play well to earn another opportunity with the team, and both have. Sources say there was optimism before the season that the play on the field this season would lead the organization to committing to one of them for years to come.
As of now, based on his status and play, Wilson appears to be the leading candidate. This upcoming offseason, if the Steelers want to bring back Wilson -- and it seems like they will -- they'll have to negotiate a new contract, and the franchise tag is also an option for any free agent whose team is attempting to re-sign him.
Fields also went 4-2 as a starter to open the season after Wilson suffered a preseason calf injury, helping raise his value for free agency in 2025. Despite his impressive start, he was replaced by Wilson in a decision led by head coach Mike Tomlin.
And while plenty across the NFL were skeptical -- very skeptical -- the move to Wilson has more than paid off.
After Wilson threw for 414 yards in a win over the Bengals in Week 13, his first 400-yard day since the 2019 season, Tomlin welcomed him to the AFC North and praised his play.
"It's the first time for him going through AFC North football, and I thought he acclimated himself to it well," Tomlin told reporters last week. "He put himself squarely in the history of this series with that performance today. We're thankful for him."
As for Wilson, he's done nothing but praise the man who gave him a chance to be a starter again, explaining how well they fit together.
"We both love ball," Wilson said of Tomlin. "We both love the process of ball, we both love people through the same time. I think that's the best part I enjoy the most. I think he's the world's best."
Since Ben Roethlisberger retired following the 2021 season, it has been a bit of an odyssey for the Steelers at QB.
They drafted Kenny Pickett to be the heir in the first round of the 2021 draft, but it was an up-and-down process that ended when Mason Rudolph took over as QB1 at the end of last season and started Pittsburgh's wild-card loss to the Bills.
This past offseason Pittsburgh dealt Pickett to the Eagles, traded for Fields and signed Wilson, with high hopes for the future.
Thanks to Wilson's play, those hopes have been realized.
