The Pittsburgh Steelers are turning down the fifth-year option of quarterback Justin Fields, it was announced on Thursday. Adam Schefter of ESPN had previously reported they were not going to do that.
General manager Omar Khan was asked about the fifth-year options of both Fields and running back Najee Harris before the NFL Draft and was noncommittal about the team’s decision.
“We have until May 2nd to make that decision,” Khan said. “I am sure we will have some serious conversation about that next week.”
The Steelers could look to extend Fields’ contract in other ways besides the fifth-year option, which is built into the rookie contract of every first-round draft pick.
The amount of the option is determined by a formula, and in the case of Fields, would cost the Steelers $25 million in guaranteed money to keep him around for 2025.
The Steelers sent a conditional 2025 draft pick to the Bears in exchange for their former first-round pick and three-year starting quarterback. Pittsburgh owes Chicago a future sixth-round pick, unless Fields plays 51% or more of the offensive snaps for the Steelers this season, in which case it becomes a fourth-round pick.
The Steelers are expected to have a competition between Fields and Russell Wilson to be the team’s starting quarterback this offseason. Both players, and third-stringer Kyle Allen are entering the final season of their respective contracts.
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