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Prior to the 2024 NFL season, the Pittsburgh Steelers made major changes at quarterback. First, the team signed Russell Wilson after he was released by the Denver Broncos. Then the team traded a conditional sixth-round draft pick to the Chicago Bears for Justin Fields.
The two competed for the Steelers’ starting role during training camp. One week before the start of the regular season, Wilson suffered a calf injury and missed the first six games of the year.
Fields has gone 4-2 as a starter in his absence and led the team to a tie at the top of the AFC North with Baltimore. This week, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin announced that Wilson is in consideration to start on “Sunday Night Football” against the New York Jets.
Here’s why the Steelers could be benching Fields.
Why did the Steelers bench Justin Fields?
The team is likely moving to Wilson as the starter for multiple reasons. Prior to his calf injury in early September, Wilson looked poised to start for the Steelers in Week 1. If not for his injury, he’d likely have started to begin with.
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The Steelers’ 4-2 record is also largely due to their defense. That unit ranks second in points allowed per game in the NFL and is one of the top rushing defenses in the league. The offense with Fields at the helm is 20th in scoring, 26th in yards, and in the bottom half of the league in most efficiency metrics according to SumerSports.
The conditional draft pick Pittsburgh gave up for Fields could be another reason as well. If Fields plays 51% of the Steelers’ offensive snaps this season, that sixth-round draft pick becomes a fourth-round pick.
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Justin Fields stats
In 2024, Fields has completed 106 of his 160 passes for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception. He’s also rushed 55 times for 231 yards and a team-high five rushing touchdowns.
Justin Fields contract
The 25-year-old Fields is still on the contract he signed as a rookie with the Bears. He is in the final year of the contract and is a $3.2 million cap hit in 2024. Pittsburgh did not pick up his fifth-year option – included in all contracts for first-round picks – for 2025, making him a free agent after this season.
Russell Wilson contract
Wilson signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the Steelers in the offseason. But that’s not all he’s making this year. The 35-year-old Wilson signed a five-year, $242 million contract with the Broncos ahead of the 2022 NFL season. By releasing him early, the Broncos are still paying him $53 million in 2024 and $32 million in 2025.
