Justin Fields. The name alone usually sparks a three-hour debate at any sports bar in Western Pennsylvania. When the Pittsburgh Steelers traded a conditional sixth-round pick to the Chicago Bears for Fields back in March 2024, the city didn’t just see a backup quarterback; they saw a lottery ticket.
He was the "what if" guy.
What if Mike Tomlin could do what the Bears couldn't? What if a change of scenery turned that 4.44 speed into a franchise-altering weapon? For a brief moment in late 2024, it actually looked like it was happening. Fields stepped in for an injured Russell Wilson, led the team to a 4-2 start, and protected the football better than he ever had in Chicago.
But football is a "what have you done for me lately" business. And by January 2026, the Justin Fields era in Pittsburgh feels like a lifetime ago.
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The 2024 Flash in the Pan
Let’s be real: Fields was never supposed to start Week 1 of the 2024 season. Russell Wilson had the "pole position," a phrase Mike Tomlin loved to use until Wilson’s calf injury forced a change in plans. Suddenly, Fields was under center against Atlanta and Denver.
He didn't light the world on fire with his arm. He threw for 117 yards against the Broncos. Honestly, it was ugly at times. But he won.
The Steelers were 3-0, then 4-2. The "Justin Fields vs. Russell Wilson" controversy was the only thing anyone talked about. Fans loved the mobility. They loved seeing a quarterback who could bail out a broken play with a 20-yard scramble. But the cracks were there. He was still taking sacks—nine of them in a single game against Denver. He was still fumbling.
When Wilson got healthy, Tomlin made the call. He went with the veteran. The Steelers eventually made the playoffs, Wilson moved on to the Jets, and the door seemingly stayed open for Fields to reclaim the throne in 2025.
Except, he didn't.
Why the Steelers Let Fields Walk
A lot of people think the Steelers "gave up" on Fields. That’s not quite the whole story. It came down to money and the fifth-year option. Pittsburgh declined that option, which would have cost them over $25 million guaranteed for the 2025 season. They weren't ready to marry him for that price without seeing more consistency.
When 2025 free agency hit, Fields had a choice: stay in Pittsburgh and compete, or take a bigger payday elsewhere. He chose the latter, signing a two-year, $40 million deal with the New York Jets.
It was a classic "bet on yourself" move.
The Steelers, meanwhile, went in a completely different direction, swinging a massive deal for Aaron Rodgers. It was a "win now" move that pushed the Justin Fields conversation into the rearview mirror. Looking back from 2026, you can see why the front office was hesitant. While Fields had those flashy 4-2 starts, the advanced metrics showed he was still struggling with the same processing issues that plagued him in Chicago. He wasn't throwing with anticipation. He was holding the ball too long.
The Reality of the "Dual-Threat" Trap
We often get blinded by the highlights. You see Fields outrun a linebacker and you think, "That's a superstar." But NFL defenses in 2025 and 2026 have become incredibly disciplined against mobile QBs.
In Pittsburgh, the offense under Arthur Smith was designed to be "safe." It worked for a while. But the Steelers realized that to compete in an AFC North loaded with Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson, "safe" wasn't enough. You need a guy who can win from the pocket when the run game gets stuffed.
Fields' stats with the Steelers were a bit of a mirage:
- Record: 4-2 as a starter.
- Passing: 184.3 yards per game.
- Sacks: 16 over six games (a pace that would lead the league).
- Turnovers: Only one interception, but six fumbles.
The low interception count made people think he had "fixed" his turnover problem. In reality, he just traded picks for fumbles and sacks.
Where the Steelers Go From Here
It’s January 2026. The Aaron Rodgers experiment in Pittsburgh just ended with a Wild Card loss to the Texans. Mike Tomlin has officially stepped down. The roster is at a crossroads.
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There's a segment of the fanbase—the "Fields Truthers"—who still believe the team should have kept Justin. They look at his performance with the Jets (which has been a rollercoaster of 300-yard games and 3-interception disasters) and wonder if he would have thrived with another year in Pittsburgh’s system.
But the Steelers are looking forward, not back. Names like Anthony Richardson are being floated in trade rumors. The team is desperate for a "young star" as Dan Orlovsky recently pointed out.
The Justin Fields chapter was a fun, chaotic bridge in Steelers history. It proved that Mike Tomlin can win with almost anyone, but it also proved that athleticism isn't a substitute for pocket rhythm.
Actionable Insights for the Offseason
If you're a Steelers fan trying to make sense of the current QB room, here's what actually matters right now:
- Forget the Veterans: The Rodgers/Wilson era showed that "renting" an old QB doesn't lead to Super Bowls in the current AFC.
- Watch the Draft: With Tomlin gone, the new regime will likely want "their guy." Look for the Steelers to be aggressive in moving up for a mobile passer who has a higher ceiling as a processor than Fields did.
- Cap Space is King: By not paying Fields that $25M option back in the day, the Steelers have the flexibility to rebuild the offensive line—which is currently the biggest problem on the roster regardless of who is taking snaps.
The Justin Fields experiment was a low-risk, high-reward gamble that ultimately paid out in "fine" but not "great." In Pittsburgh, "fine" doesn't get you a parade.