So far in the 2024 NFL season, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been a pleasant surprise. They had a spotless 3-0 record at the start of the season because of the quarterback Justin Fields’ performance. Fields wasn’t meant to be Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback in 2024 because Russell Wilson was also added in the summer. Fields has seized every opportunity that has come his way while Wilson has been sidelined due to a persistent calf ailment.
Fields made a big impression in his first regular season game at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday. Fields ran in a score and threw for 245 yards and a touchdown in the first half as Pittsburgh triumphed 20–10. With every game, he has gotten better, and many people think Pittsburgh has discovered their quarterback of the future in him. Former NFL quarterbacks Tony Romo (who stated this while announcing the game on Sunday) and Ben Roethlisberger (who discussed it on his podcast) also hold this belief.
Doug Whaley, the former general manager of the NFL, appeared on 93.7 The Fan on Wednesday. Whaley has worked in front offices across the country, including Pittsburgh, and has a wealth of knowledge there. Regarding Fields and his play in the season’s first three games, he was questioned.
“Everyone in that locker room adored Fields when he left Chicago. Take a bullet for that person and lay down. It is currently evident in his play. All he needed was to be in situations that would allow him to develop his skills.”
There has always been a lot of promise for Fields. When it became apparent that Caleb Williams would be selected by the club with the first overall choice, his old teammates with the Chicago Bears, who adored him, frequently stood up for him in front of the local media. The Bears made the right move by selecting a new quarterback in the draft and beginning the rookie contract countdown with Williams, but his lackluster performance in his first season may be a source of worry for Chicago.
Only through the 2024 season is the fourth-year quarterback committed to Pittsburgh. After trading for him, the Steelers picked up his fifth-year option; as a result, he will be available for free in the offseason of 2025. His performance thus far has been impressive, and the Steelers could very well have him as their franchise quarterback. During his radio interview, Whaley discussed this and offered some speculation as to what General Manager Omar Khan and the ownership might be considering.
“If I were Omar, I would ask Art [Rooney] what kind of money he’s ready to give me because if he keeps going in this direction, it might be between $40 and $50 million. Can we go with that now?”
Due in large part to Pittsburgh’s policy of not doing contract business during the season, both Pat Freiermuth and Cam Heyward finalized their agreements prior to Week 1. The team won’t approach Fields with any kind of deal until the entire season is over, but if they want to keep him around, they should start considering what they would be prepared to provide. In addition, a far bigger sample size is required than simply three games.
It’s possible that the Steelers will need to pay Fields more than any other quarterback in the league.
Fields’ current market value over a six-year period is $283 million, according to Spotrac. At $47.1 million a season on average, he would be the sixth-highest paid quarterback in the NFL. After just three games, it would sound a little absurd to even entertain the possibility, but if he keeps developing the way he has, a contract like that might be in order.
If Wilson ever fully recovers, it will be intriguing to watch how Pittsburgh uses their current quarterback for the remainder of the season. Fields is still expected to play if he offers the club the best chance to win, and if he can keep winning plays for the rest of the season, head coach Mike Tomlin might reward him with a hefty deal in Pittsburgh.