NFL insider proves the benching of Justin Fields for Russell Wilson came back to bite the Steelers in more ways than one
The Pittsburgh Steelers, but more specifically, HC Mike Tomlin thought that Russell Wilson was their best bet at winning the Super Bowl last season. Benching Justin Fields for Russ, the latter of the signal callers went on a nice run until he and the OC started budding heads and ended the season on a five-game […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers, but more specifically, HC Mike Tomlin thought that Russell Wilson was their best bet at winning the Super Bowl last season.
Benching Justin Fields for Russ, the latter of the signal callers went on a nice run until he and the OC started budding heads and ended the season on a five-game losing streak.
So according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, that decision didn't only cost them their season, but a second shot at starting Justin Fields…
Justin Fields felt more love from the Jets
“Last week or a week and a half ago, they put together an offer for Justin Fields that I was told was very competitive with what the Jets offered him, which was close to two years, $40 million with $30 million guaranteed," Fowler told the Dan Patrick Show. "Something went off where he chose the Jets and he must’ve felt the love more from the Jets than he did the Steelers, who essentially benched him last year for Russell Wilson. I do believe they were all-in on Fields. I don’t know if they had Fields ahead of Rodgers, but they were willing to do Fields. Both sides, at one point, were open to it. It didn’t work.”
Sources expressed very similar sentiments in conversations with A to Z Sports. If the Steelers didn't guarantee that Fields had the full year to start and that they wouldn't draft a QB in round one, he would be hesitant to sign.
Obvious by his decision to join the New York Jets, Fields didn't receive those demands, especially when you see that the contracts were of similar value according to Fowler.
Their top priority all offseason, the Steelers have no one but themselves to blame. If they never bench Fields, he likely commits to staying in Pittsburgh, a decision he was certainly considering when listening to his comments at the end of the 2024 season.
“I want to be here,” Fields told TribLive back in January. “I’m kind of tired of learning a new offense every year. This will be my third in four years. Of course, I’d love to be back, but that’s all up to God at the end of the day. I’ll be where God wants me to be.”
So for Pittsburgh, their search for their next signal-caller continues, despite the fact they watched the one they wanted walk out of the door thanks to their own doing.
