Since the offseason started, it seemed like Justin Fields was most likely to be the Pittsburgh Steelers’ starting quarterback in 2025. Even as recently as the NFL Scouting Combine, GM Omar Khan said the Steelers wanted to retain Fields or Russell Wilson. Unfortunately, they couldn’t get a deal done with Fields. He ended up agreeing to a deal with the New York Jets. Now, the Steelers are left rudderless under center, which left former NFL defensive lineman Chris Canty shaking his head.
“I just don’t understand why the Pittsburgh Steelers let him walk out the door,” Canty said Tuesday on ESPN’s Unsportsmanlike. “If this was the guy that you were prioritizing, and you saw that the Jets were able to get him for $30 million guaranteed over two years, I don’t understand it. It doesn’t make sense.
“From Fields’ perspective, I get it because the organization benched him, and there might be some hurt feelings in that because he thought he was performing well.”
Canty is correct that the deal makes sense for Fields. The Steelers didn’t do him many favors last year. They had a quarterback competition between him and Wilson, but it never really felt like Fields had a chance to win it. Wilson started in pole position, and only an injury really changed that.
When Fields stepped up to start the season, he looked good. He helped the Steelers jump out to a 4-2 start. The Steelers’ offense still had issues, but maybe some of those kinks would’ve been worked out had Fields returned. However, Canty is correct that Fields might have felt a little distrust toward the organization because of how that was handled. That could be part of why he left Pittsburgh.
From the Steelers’ perspective, letting Fields leave makes a little more sense than Canty thinks it does. Fields’ two-year deal with the Jets is reportedly worth a total of $40 million. That’s a lot of money for Fields, who hasn’t really proven a lot in the NFL. Before coming to Pittsburgh, he looked deeply flawed as a passer. He improved last year, but there were still issues.
There are also reports that the Steelers wouldn’t guarantee money in Fields’ contract past the first year. That’s par for the course for how they do business, though. It just seems like Fields’ asking price was above what the Steelers were willing to pay.
It’s fair to criticize that. Fields did seem like the Steelers’ best option. They have a decent amount of cap space as well, so they wouldn’t have been hurting had they paid a little more than they had hoped for Fields. By not signing him, they’re left in a tight spot at quarterback. We’ll see if Fields proves that he was worth that money with the Jets. It might be a decision the Steelers regret, but only time will tell.
