The Pittsburgh Steelers have to make a monumental decision at the quarterback position. Do they keep Russell Wilson and/or Justin Fields? Or explore another option in free agency?
Yes, the Steelers qualified for the playoffs in 2024. Yes, Pittsburgh started out 10-3. Yes, Wilson and Fields both provided a few wow moments.
Yet, the end result wasn’t good enough. The Steelers collapsed down the stretch and resembled a wounded duck when it mattered most. It appears as if the franchise might be ready to get a new starting quarterback.
PFSN Predicts Major Free Agent Signing: Sam Darnold
The Steelers own the No. 21 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, so it’s highly unlikely they will be able to find a future franchise quarterback that late in Round 1. They would be wise to re-stock the coffers at another offensive position, like wide receiver — Missouri’s Luther Burden III has been mocked to them.
However, Pittsburgh will have decent options to upgrade at quarterback in free agency. PFSN’s Ben Rolfe released his NFL free agent predictions for 2025 and picked an interesting name for the Steelers to consider: Sam Darnold.
MORE: NEW 2025 NFL Mock Draft
Interesting, right? Darnold was lightning in a bottle for the Vikings last season. He threw for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns while posting a 66.2% completion percentage in 17 starts.
The 27-year-old also qualified for his first Pro Bowl while leading Minnesota to a 14-3 record and the NFC’s No. 5 seed. With J.J. McCarthy — the No. 10 overall pick in 2024 — waiting in the wings, Darnold is probably out of a job.
Rolfe wrote: “If Wilson and Fields are not coming back, then the best free agent quarterback is Sam Darnold. Playing for the Vikings last year, Darnold produced his best season, finishing as the QB12 in our QB+ metric — above both Wilson and Fields. He still needs help to elevate this team to a deep playoff run, but Darnold would allow the Steelers to remain competitive in 2025.”
SAM DARNOLD 2024 Highlights
4,319 Yards | 35 TD | 19 TO
66.2% | 7.9 YPA | 102.5 Rating | 60.4 QBR
212 Yards | 3.2 YPC | Rush TD | 48 Sacks pic.twitter.com/ZO1vwU1WhH— Tommy R. Callahan III (@yalltitanup) February 19, 2025
It’s not a choice to be taken lightly. Darnold could earn an estimated $37.5 million in free agency.
Meanwhile, Rolfe has the New York Jets “taking a shot” on Fields as their possible quarterback of the future. And Wilson is predicted to go to the Tennessee Titans, maybe as a placeholder for top draft pick Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward.
“The Titans could need a bridge quarterback this season,” Rolfe wrote. “Wilson would bring some stability to the quarterback room and is not a quarterback who will upset the fanbase every week with bad throws.”
NFL Insider Links Russell Wilson to Steelers
Don’t count out a Wilson return to Pittsburgh. ESPN’s Adam Schefter provided a new update on how everything might play out there on his podcast. Wilson believes there’s still a chance he suits up for the Steelers.
“He still thinks that despite the reports to the contrary there’s a realistic chance he’s going to be back in Pittsburgh,” Schefter told co-host Ty Schmitt. “He’s operating like he’s definitely interested in being there.”
Loyalty: Trevor Lawrence does NOT want to go to the #Steelers:
“I’m happy here in Jacksonville. I plan to win a Super Bowl here, and I think we can do that. And I don’t want to leave Jacksonville. I’m not going to Pittsburgh.”
(via @UpAndAdamsShow)pic.twitter.com/Au5IqBUTFZ
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 17, 2025
There had also been rumors about Trevor Lawrence possibly being a trade candidate for Pittsburgh. Scratch that. Lawrence told Kay Adams that he’s happy in Jacksonville, with no plans to go to Pittsburgh.
