NFL insider exposes what's holding up Justin Fields' return to the Steelers amidst the emergence of new quarterback candidates
Justin Fields would have been signed weeks ago if the Pittsburgh Steelers had their way. Yet, as the legal tampering period gets closer, Fields, (and no other quarterback for that matter) remains unsigned. That has the Steelers weighing other options, with the reasoning for Fields lag coming to light… Justin Fields wants to test open […]
Justin Fields would have been signed weeks ago if the Pittsburgh Steelers had their way.
Yet, as the legal tampering period gets closer, Fields, (and no other quarterback for that matter) remains unsigned.
That has the Steelers weighing other options, with the reasoning for Fields lag coming to light…
Justin Fields wants to test open market as Aaron Rodgers, and Sam Darnold become QB candidates in Pittsburgh
If Justin Fields wants to affirm he is indeed a starter in this league (and a starter to stay), his best path is to sign with the Steelers. He is familiar with the offense, he has an offensive staff that absolutely believes in him and he freely told our NFL on CBS crew how the “contagious” confidence in the building is just part of why he felt a different comfort in PIT.
The impediments, as I am told them? 1) There IS a market for him and he could chase money. 2) He has to get past any sting/distrust from this season, when there was player/assistant sentiment in the building that he return to the starting spot, but Mike Tomlin chose not to do so.
-Aditi Kinkhabwala, CBS (via X)
So here's the 411. Fields has questions about the Steelers' loyalty. He can't gain assurance from the Steelers brass when it comes to him keeping the starting role, so he wants to test the market, potentially drive up the Steelers' price, and make them pay to ensure his spot.
But the Steelers aren't going to wait. Sam Darnold is likely to be in the mix, the Metcalf trade sets up an easy return for Russell Wilson, and now, while there has been a lot of smoke, there is serious fire surrounding Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers.
As the Steelers continue talks with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields entering this week's free agency period, Aaron Rodgers also has emerged as a quarterback option for Pittsburgh, league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Rodgers and the Steelers are expected to talk, sources told Schefter, and explore a union between the four-time MVP and longtime coach Mike Tomlin.
–ESPN
To be clear, the Steelers will not wait. They might want Fields, but they seem just fine with taking a shot on Rodgers, Darnold, or running it back with Russell Wilson.
Which option they choose will come to light soon enough.
