Was Justin Fields worth $20 million a year and $30 million guaranteed for the Steelers?
The Steelers reportedly had an offer on the table for Justin Fields for some days, but that’s all we know. We don’t know how much they offered him, but we know, obviously, that he didn’t accept it. Reportedly, he wanted some assurances that he would start if he re-signed. One report indicated that the Steelers’ offer didn’t include second-year guarantees, which is hardly surprising.
While that’s a reasonable request, the Jets can’t give him any assurances of anything, either. Sure, they can tell him whatever they want to tell him, but they can still draft a first-round quarterback. The Steelers could have given Fields all the assurances in the world, the same as any other team, and it would have meant just as much.
Let’s say, though, that it wasn’t just a trust issue, but rather it was what it’s almost always about: money. Let’s assume Justin Fields chose to sign with the Jets instead of the Steelers because they offered more. The question, then, is did they make a mistake by letting him go and not ponying up for him?
Let’s start with the basics and talk stats. Justin Fields started six games for the Steelers, going 4-2. That record includes a loss in which the defense gave up the go-ahead score with 20 seconds to play. During those six starts, he went 106-of-160 for 1,106 yards with 5 touchdowns and 1 interception. He rushed for five touchdowns and 231 yards but also fumbled six times (including botched snap exchanges) with 16 sacks.
But the Steelers didn’t build their offseason plans around Fields the way they would if re-signing him now. He was supposed to be their backup, and he only played because Russell Wilson was hurt. The Steelers managed him and asked him to play more conservatively than they might have otherwise.
Another factor we have to consider is money, and $20 million per season is peanuts for quarterbacks in 2025. At this moment, 20 quarterbacks earn more than $20 million per season. In other words, in terms of pay, Justin Fields is not viewed as a top-half-of-the-league quarterback, so what does that say about how the Steelers view him if they weren’t willing to pay him that?
The Steelers’ 2024 season has come to its predictably inauspicious end, with yet another one-and-done postseason for HC Mike Tomlin. The offense faltered, and the defense matched it blow for blow, leading to a 21-0 first-half deficit.
Just like last year, the biggest question hanging over the Steelers is the quarterback question. Do they still believe in Russell Wilson, and/or Justin Fields, or do they want another solution? There are other major decisions to make, as well, such as what to do with George Pickens. Do you sign him to an extension, try to trade him, or let him play out his rookie contract?
The Steelers started the 2024 season 10-3, with Mike Tomlin in the Coach of the Year conversation. Wash, rinse, and repeat, and we have another late-season collapse. This may be the worst yet, a four-game losing streak presaging a one-and-done playoff “run”. Welcome to Steelers football.
