Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields has largely been overlooked in discussions about NFL free agency. While most of the focus has been on quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, and Sam Darnold, Fields has received little attention from fans and the media.
Fields just completed his first season with the Steelers, where he started at quarterback before Russell Wilson took over in Week 7. During his time as a starter, Fields helped Pittsburgh to a strong 4-2 start. The Steelers ultimately finished the season with a 10-7 record but were eliminated in the Wild Card Round after a 28-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Originally drafted by the Chicago Bears in 2021, Fields joined Pittsburgh via trade. Now, as he enters free agency for the first time, SportsGrid’s Zack Cook predicts the 25-year-old will re-sign with the Steelers.
In his lone season with Pittsburgh, Fields threw for 1,106 yards and five touchdowns while completing 65.8% of his passes. He was also effective as a runner, adding 289 rushing yards and five touchdowns. His skill set was a good fit for offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s run-heavy scheme, but his time on the field was limited.
If Wilson leaves, keeping Fields would give the Steelers a familiar and capable option at quarterback. Fields and the rest of this year’s free agent class will officially hit the open market on March 12, just days after his 26th birthday.