Steelers' massive Justin Fields mistake not aging well amid Aaron Rodgers free agent QB saga

The Pittsburgh Steelers mishandled Justin Fields from the very beginning, and it's costing them.

Pittsburgh acquired the upside-laden Fields for the 2024 season, only to restrict him to a backup plan behind Russell Wilson.

When Wilson was hurt before Week 1, Fields got the job.

The uber-athletic QB went 4-2 as a starter, but he was still benched for the steep-declining Wilson.

From there, Fields just got the occasional specialty package. Pittsburgh never tried to figure out how good he could be.

Now, the Steelers are paying the price.

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Fields signed with the Jets to be their starting quarterback ($20 million per year). Wilson signed with the Giants to be their starting quarterback.

And the Steelers are just hoping Aaron Rodgers doesn't change his mind before signing in Pittsburgh.

Everything would've been so much easier if the Steelers just let Fields cook.

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His career upside is clearly higher than Wilson's at this point, just by virtue of being a decade younger.

He's always been a dynamic runner, and he had bright spots as a thrower last season, too.

But instead, Wilson took over and played his usual, boring brand of aging football. There was no championship upside there. There wasn't any hope for the future, either.

Fields was the potential franchise savior at QB that they never even gave a chance. And rather than try to re-sign him, they let him walk to the Jets.

Even if the Steelers get Rodgers, he's a stop-gap option on the wrong side of 40. Maybe he's better at positively impacting winning than Fields, but that's even in question in 2025.

If Pittsburgh had kept Fields, not only would it have this situation solved, it'd potentially help out its future, too, because Fields could've had the chance to keep growing.

Instead, if anyone reaps the rewards of possible Fields growth, it'll be the Jets. The Steelers will only be able to watch from afar.

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