Pittsburgh Steelers Steelers News
Ex-NFL Head Coach ‘Isn’t Sold’ On Steelers Russell Wilson Or Justin Fields
A former NFL head coach doesn't believe quarterback Russell Wilson or Justin Fields is the answer for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have yet to commit to quarterback Russell Wilson or Justin Fields for the 2025 season. Both players are set to become free agents this offseason, but one former NFL head coach believes that might be for the best.
Former Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden gave his bleak view of the Steelers quarterback room.
“I’m not sold on either Russell or Justin Fields, to be honest with you,” Gruden said on the “Broncos Country Tonight” podcast. “I think Justin’s had a couple opportunities. He’s still young. He’s athletic. I get it. He’s just not a very good passer of the football in my opinion, but I don’t know what to do. I think Russell’s had his day in the sun. I think it’s time to move on from Russell.”
Wilson and Fields each got significant playing time as the Steelers starting quarterback this year and the season ended the same way it has for most of the past seven years: A first-round exit in the playoffs.
Fields started the first six games of the season while Wilson was nursing a calf injury. During that span, he threw 1,106 yards, five touchdowns and one interception while leading the Steelers to a 4-2 start.
However, head coach Mike Tomlin made a surprising switch to Wilson once he was finally healthy. It seemed to be the right choice at first as Wilson helped rattle off six wins during the next seven weeks, but things quickly took a turn.
Wilson’s play took a slide, which resulted in five straight losses, including a loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the wild-card round of the playoffs. That has left the organization with a sour taste in its mouth heading into 2025.
Still, the Steelers would be wise to at least retain one of them with what seems to be weak free-agent and rookie quarterback classes this offseason.
If that’s the case, Gruden would give the 10-years-younger Fields one last shot.
“I’d give Justin Fields the reins and then try to draft somebody else,” he said. “Compete with him and go from there.”
