This season has been frustrating for Steelers fans, and the quarterback position remains a source of uncertainty. Both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields have had their moments, but neither has definitively answered the question of who can lead this team into the future.

Russell Wilson showcased the highs and lows of a seasoned veteran. When allowed to play aggressively, he demonstrated flashes of his former brilliance. However, his struggles with reading the entire field and his diminished mobility have become glaring issues. To be fair, Wilson lacked a strong supporting cast, but the missed opportunities on tape were hard to ignore.

I have immense respect for Russ. He’s a consummate professional with a Hall of Fame-worthy career. He’s won at the highest level and left an indelible mark on the league. But his shortcomings this season cannot be overlooked, and we may have seen his ceiling. While he’s been a mentor and leader, the Steelers need to focus on their future—and that future could be Justin Fields.

Fields brings something to the table that Wilson no longer can: potential. At just 25 years old, Fields is a decade younger than Wilson and has shown improvement in critical areas of his game. This season, he learned from Wilson while gaining valuable experience as a starter in the first six weeks.

In Chicago, Fields was a high-risk, high-reward player. Over three seasons, he accounted for 40 passing touchdowns and 30 interceptions, along with 14 rushing touchdowns and 16 fumbles. Fields also arrived in Pittsburgh with a career record of 10-28 as a starter. Those numbers alarmed fans and coaches upon his arrival, but this season painted a different picture.

In his six starts as a Steeler, Fields posted a 4-2 record. Playing for a stable organization with a high floor, Fields wasn’t asked to do it all as he was in Chicago and felt what it was like to play consistent winning football. During those starts, he threw five touchdowns to just one interception and added five rushing touchdowns. That’s progress. However, he also fumbled four times—a concerning number. But with a rookie center and a new offensive system, some of those fumbles can be fairly attributed to other factors than Fields.

The Steelers’ coaching staff prioritized cutting down turnovers, and Fields responded. However, this focus may have inadvertently limited his playmaking ability. Fields thrives when he can use his athleticism to create plays out of structure. His highlight reel is filled with moments of breaking sacks, running for big gains, or throwing deep bombs. Too often, though, those plays also ended in turnovers. The challenge moving forward will be striking a balance between allowing Fields to take calculated risks while minimizing mistakes.

Wilson’s experience is invaluable, and at this moment, he’s likely the better quarterback. But his physical limitations are hard to overlook. He can no longer consistently make the plays that once defined his career. Fields, on the other hand, represents hope for the future. While he’s still raw, his potential is immense. His ability to grow and develop as a possible franchise quarterback gives the Steelers a chance to build something sustainable rather than trying to squeeze out one or two more years from Wilson.

Consistency has been Fields’ Achilles’ heel, but his time with the Steelers this past season seems to have taught him the importance of protecting the football. It’s a risk, but one with the potential for significant rewards. If the Steelers commit to Fields, they must go all-in. That means tailoring the offense to his strengths and surrounding him with the right personnel. Fields thrives in an offense that embraces his athleticism and playmaking ability. The Steelers should loosen the reins and let him showcase the dynamic skills that make him one of the league’s most electrifying players.

The quarterback position remains a question mark in Pittsburgh, but that also presents an opportunity. The Steelers can take a bold step forward and shape the team’s future around a young, dynamic quarterback. Fields has shown enough growth and playmaking ability to make him worth the risk.

If he doesn’t pan out, the strong quarterback class in the 2026 draft offers another opportunity to swing for the fences. But at the price Fields will demand, the Steelers are unlikely to find a quarterback with his potential upside. It’s time for Pittsburgh to take a bold chance and move forward with Justin Fields as QB1.

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