The Steelers have undertaken a thorough restructuring of their quarterback lineup. Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, and Mitch Trubisky have departed, making way for the arrival of Russell Wilson. Now, Justin Fields is set to join him.
Both acquisitions come at a bargain, with Wilson signing for the league minimum due to the Broncos covering the remainder of his $39 million salary for 2024. Fields, in the final year of his rookie deal, commands little over $3.2 million.
Will they vie for the starting role? It’s a possibility. But if Wilson secures the starting spot, there’s speculation on whether they’ll utilize both quarterbacks.
Reflect back to 1995, when Kordell Stewart, as a rookie, complemented starter Neil O’Donnell, earning the moniker “Slash” for his hybrid role, which propelled the Steelers to the Super Bowl.
Could Fields be a modern-day Slash 2.0?
Such a move could optimize Pittsburgh’s investment and confound opposing defenses. It’s less about fielding the best quarterback and more about leveraging the best offensive players. Even as QB2, Fields would be an integral part of the offensive strategy.
New offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is likely contemplating the potential mismatches that Wilson and Fields could create, especially considering Fields’ prowess as a dual-threat quarterback in recent NFL seasons.
Regardless of the outcome, this represents a bold move by the Steelers. Addressing a glaring weakness without committing exorbitant sums, they’ve significantly bolstered their roster for a total 2024 investment of under $4.5 million.
The AFC North and the rest of the conference should take note. With Wilson’s proven abilities and Fields’ potential, Pittsburgh’s offense could become as formidable as its defense, posing a formidable challenge to opponents on both sides of the ball.
