Steelers reportedly may sign Russell Wilson to longer deal after the 2024 season despite having Justin Fields as backup 

Steelers only have to pay less than $4.5 million and a sixth-round pick in 2025 for Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.

Steelers reportedly may sign Russell Wilson to longer deal after the 2024 season despite having Justin Fields as backup 

Russell Wilson and Justin Fields (Via Imago/Yahoo Sports)

As many would say, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offseason strategy for the quarterback situation is commendable. They appear to be rebuilding the quarterback depth chart entirely with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, after letting go of Kenny Pickett in a trade deal. 

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The franchise has not committed to either of the two quarterbacks it signed recently. Their salary cap is not affected as they only have to pay less than $4.5 million and a sixth-round pick in 2025 for Wilson and Fields, respectively. 

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For now, the starter is the nine-time Pro Bowler, as they have different plans for Fields, wanting him to learn from Wilson. Wilson, as well, has signed only a one-year contract deal which means, if it doesn’t work out next season, the Steelers can move onto a new quarterback. 

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However, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recently reported, that the Steelers are planning to cook up a long-term deal with the Super Bowl champion by the end of the 2024 NFL season. This means that they do not plan to move forward with Fields as the starter anytime shortly. 

Dulac reported via X:

Russell Wilson signed a one-year contract with the Steelers for the vet minimum because the Broncos were paying him $39 million in 2024. But Wilson and the Steelers intend to do a longer deal at the end of the season, per sources.
Gerry Dulac on X

Russell Wilson’s performance is the key to his future with the Steelers

It’s a no-brainer that if Wilson plays well, the Steelers would offer him a multi-year contract. But the real question is: what if he doesn’t? What if the former Broncos quarterback struggles and Fields had to take his place mid-season? If it happens, the Steelers may consider Fields’ fifth-year contract option. 

Russell Wilson
Russell Wilson (Via Imago)

In such a scenario, if Wilson plans to return to the Steelers, he would have to agree to a backup quarterback deal which might be a huge obstacle in his plan to win a few more Super Bowl trophies before retirement. 

All these facts point towards a simple condition in Wilson’s contract, which is he has to prove himself to have a longer deal with the Steelers. If he fails, there won’t be any longer deal in his name. 

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