Again in January, Pittsburgh Steelers proprietor and president Artwork Rooney II stated that his “choice” for the membership’s quarterback state of affairs can be to re-sign both present starter Russell Wilson or backup Justin Fields.
Steelers basic supervisor Omar Khan echoed Rooney whereas talking with reporters on the NFL mix on Tuesday.
“We’ve had conversations with each Russ’ folks and Justin’s representatives,” Khan defined, as shared by Nick Farabaugh of PennLive. “Ideally, you’d prefer to signal one of many guys we had final 12 months, however the actuality is that they’re each free brokers.”
Each Wilson and Fields might formally start talking with different golf equipment when the free-agent negotiating window opens on March 10. They may signal offers with completely different groups at any level after the brand new league 12 months begins on March 12.
“In a super state of affairs, you’d prefer to have this performed earlier than the beginning of the league 12 months,” Khan continued. “That impacts who you signal. That impacts the kind of receiver you could go after or the way you construct the remainder of the group, so all of that has an impact.”
Fields guided the Steelers to 4 wins throughout the primary six weeks of the 2024 season as Wilson recovered from a calf damage. Wilson then went 6-1 as a starter earlier than the group endured a five-game shedding streak, throughout which his working relationship with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith allegedly soured.
The notion exists that Smith favors Fields, whereas head coach Mike Tomlin “feels a dedication or a loyalty to Wilson.” Khan indicated he’d be high quality with having both Wilson or Fields within the QB1 spot of the depth chart when springtime exercises get underway.
“I really consider these guys perceive that we need to put whoever the quarterback is beneath heart in the very best place to succeed,” Khan added about Wilson and Fields. “For us so as to add our items, that’s the primary a part of this.”
Whereas Khan insisted he is retaining “all choices” on the desk with neither Wilson nor Fields locked down, it actually appears like Pittsburgh presumably pursuing an outsider reminiscent of Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams or Sam Darnold of the Minnesota Vikings is a “plan B.” It stays to be seen if Khan would pivot away from Wilson and Fields if each are nonetheless unsigned as of the morning of March 10.
