If Justin Fields outplays him, the Steelers didn’t put a heavy investment on Wilson
Despite the Justin Fields deal, it is anticipated that Russell Wilson will start at quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024.
However, an NFL executive doesn’t think the team will support him at all.
In an interview with ESPN’s Adam Schefter for “NFL Live,” Wilson discussed his $1.12 million veteran minimum deal he signed with Pittsburgh after being cut by the Denver Broncos. Upon contacting many league executives, he discovered that at least one of them believed the Steelers could cut him if he performed poorly during training camp.
“There’s no commitment, obligation, loyalty to any of these guys,” Schefter stated. They didn’t spend much money on either of them. I even heard from an executive that they could consider cutting Russell Wilson before the season if Justin Fields performed better than him throughout training camp.”
Wilson’s contract with the Broncos is so low because they still owe him $38 million this season even though he isn’t playing for them.
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For Fields, the Steelers simply had to trade the 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a conditional 2025 sixth-round pick.
“Very little investment,” said Schefter. “. . . They have the luxury of letting this play out during camp and doing whatever is best for that football team.”
When the Broncos announced their intentions this summer, the 35-year-old Wilson was searching for a starting position. He had trips planned to the New York Giants and the Las Vegas Raiders before joining the Steelers.
Wilson’s position was virtually assured for the upcoming season when the Steelers traded Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles. However, there was a wrinkle—at least for some—when Fields joined the group.
Wilson, meanwhile, who welcomed Fields on his X account when the transfer was made, is unfazed by the competition.
“Assist me, @justinfields! Wilson wrote, “QB room about to be [fire emojis].”
Clearly, Wilson is more qualified to win than Fields. The quarterback who won the Super Bowl is a nine-time Pro Bowler with a regular season record of 115-72-1.
Conversely, Fields has a record of 10-28 in his first three years in the NFL, having played in 13 games for the Bears in 2023 but finishing 5-8 overall.
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