Adam Schefter explains Pittsburgh might cut bait on Russell Wilson if Justin Fields outplays him
The Pittsburgh Steelers made major — albeit cheap — moves to overhaul the quarterback room during free agency. Out are Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph, in are Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.
While Pittsburgh has said publicly that Wilson is the starter going into training camp, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter shared on Tuesday that who ends up starting come Week 1 isn’t really set in stone. He also added that if Fields rises into the starting role, Pittsburgh could simple cut bait and move on from Wilson.
“I even had an executive say if Justin Fields outplays Russell Wilson during training camp, they could see Russell Wilson, them moving on from him before the season,” Schefter said on Tuesday on NFL Live. “Like there’s a whole range of possibilities. We know that Russell Wilson goes in as the starter, but again, they’re going to let the competition play out and we’ll see where it goes.”
The Steelers could be comfortable parting ways with Wilson even before the season in part because of the low price they’re paying him. Currently, Pittsburgh is on the book to pay Wilson $1.2 million, a paltry sum as far as quarterback contracts are concerned.
“They have said that Russell Wilson is the starter going into training camp,” Schefter said. “Justin Fields is the backup going into training camp. They’ve been pretty clear. But think about the investment that they have in each player. They essentially are giving Russell Wilson $1.2 million, while the Denver Broncos are paying him almost $38 million this year. Very little investment. They gave up a conditional 2025 sixth round pick for Justin Fields. Very little investment.”
That low level of investment in Fields also means he could be on the chopping block, too. Although that seems less likely given Fields is far younger than Wilson and presents much greater upside as a runner and multi-dimensional playmaker, even if not as a starting quarterback.
Either way, Pittsburgh hasn’t sunk so many resources into either quarterback as to preclude the Steelers from picking any direction the franchise wants to at the position.
“They can appoint Russell the starter,” Schefter said. “They can say Fields is the backup. But the fact of the matter is they have the luxury of letting this play out during camp and doing whatever is best for that football team. There’s no commitment, obligation, loyalty to any one of these guys. They didn’t pay very much for either one of them.”