Steelers’ Rooney: QB Is ‘Priority,’ Plan to Keep 1 of Russell Wilson, Justin Fields

Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II confirmed that the team will attempt to bring either Russell Wilson or Justin Fields back under center for the 2025 season.

“My preference would be to sign one of those quarterbacks (Russell Wilson or Justin Fields),” Rooney said on Monday, via 93.7 The Fan. “Obviously, we will be looking in the draft as well either this year or next. That (quarterback position) has to be the priority.”

He expressed that the quarterback spot is a “key piece of the puzzle that needs to be addressed” and said that it’s unlikely both Wilson and Fields would be back with the team next season (via Bob Labriola of the team’s official website).

“I wouldn’t close the door, but I’d say it’s probably unlikely,” Rooney said, per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. “I think both of them see themselves as starters and I don’t know that they want to share the same job again next year. So, I would say most likely we probably don’t wind up bringing them both back.”

Wilson has held some initial discussions with the front office surrounding a return, confirming that he’s had “meetings” with the Steelers regarding his impending free agency during a Wednesday appearance on the Pat McAfee Show.

Pittsburgh also seems to be leaving the door open for Fields to come back. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported Jan. 13 that the team “would love to keep working with” the former first-round pick but noted that “it might not be as a starter.”

Pittsburgh acquired both signal-callers during the 2024 offseason, signing Wilson in free agency before trading a 2025 conditional sixth-round pick to the Chicago Bears in exchange for Fields.

Wilson was named the Steelers’ starter entering the regular season, but a calf injury kept him sidelined until Week 7.

Fields performed admirably, throwing for 1,106 yards and five touchdowns compared to one interception through six games. He also rushed for 231 yards and five more scores, as Pittsburgh sat at 4-2.

Wilson also looked sharp after making his return, completing 63.7 percent of his throws for 2,482 yards and 16 touchdowns while getting picked off just five times.

The Steelers’ end to the season could cause some hesitation from Pittsburgh regarding a reunion with Wilson, as the team lost five straight games to close out the year. This included a 28-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, but it’s worth noting that the veteran passer threw for 270 yards and two touchdowns in the postseason defeat.

As Pittsburgh looks to secure its first playoff win since the 2016 season, the team could bring back one of its two 2024 starting quarterbacks in free agency.