Both Justin Fields and Russell Wilson are set to hit free agency. The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to bring only one of them back next season, and so far, the franchise has not given a hint about what they are planning to do.
Ryan Clark, who won the Super Bowl with the Steelers, wants his former team to re-sign Fields. He discussed this in detail on ESPN’s “NFL Live.”
Ryan Clark Wants the Steelers To Keep Justin Fields
Clark believes Fields will be a better option for the Steelers because, based on his age, he can offer much more. Since everyone knows what Wilson brings to the table, it might not be wise for Pittsburgh to run it back with him, as it will likely result in what happened this past season — an early playoff exit.
“I think they should re-sign Justin Fields,” Clark said. “Here is why, I think you figure out, can he be the guy for the future? And if he bombs, at least, you can go high in the draft and get you somebody good, somebody that could play. There’s nobody on the market that you’re going to be able to get that’s going to come in there and outplay Justin Fields.”
"I think you figure out, can he be the guy for the future?"@Realrclark25 on why the Steelers should re-sign Justin Fields ✍️ pic.twitter.com/fvCCGDp9Wx
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 31, 2025
“Justin Fields is someone Arthur Smith is familiar with,” Clark added. “If you hit the top of his potential, you have your guy. And if you can’t do some of those things that you didn’t, that you wanted to do, that you replaced him with Russell Wilson to do, then you’re not good enough anyway, and you go get a quarterback in the draft, but I don’t believe you bring Russell back to be good enough again.”
After the Steelers were sent home in the Wild Card Round by the Baltimore Ravens, reports emerged about how Smith was in favor of giving Fields the opportunity while Mike Tomlin wanted Wilson to start.
The offense initially looked better with Wilson, who finished the regular season with a No. 17 ranking (75.3) and C grade in PFN’s QB+ rating. However, once the Steelers’ defense regressed, the veteran quarterback was not able to bail them out. The team went on a five-game losing streak to end the season, and due to it, Fields could be seen as a better option for the future.
The Steelers are projected to have $43.28 million in cap space for next season. They could sign Fields to a two-year, $40-$50 million deal with a player option that would put the quarterback in a good spot to earn a big contract in 2026 if he plays well.
As Clark mentioned, if Fields doesn’t play well, it will also benefit the Steelers in the long term, as the team will be in a position to draft early next year. However, the Ohio State product will be determined to silence all his critics and cement his place as the Steelers’ franchise quarterback.
The 25-year-old quarterback started six games of Pittsburgh this past season, and the team went 4-2. In those six games, he threw for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception, completing 66.3% of his throws while generating a 78.1 PFN’s QB+ rating, along with a C+ grade. He also rushed for 231 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 4.2 yards per carry.
Fields’ ability to make plays with his legs is exceptional, and he provides a new dimension to the Steelers’ offense. He does need improvement in the passing game, but if the Steelers draft a receiver like Emeka Egbuka to pair alongside George Pickens, it would make things a lot easier for their quarterback.