The Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback situation has been a major talking point since the offseason, with Justin Fields leading the offense through the first five weeks.
Despite Fields’ efforts, back-to-back losses have led some to speculate that it might be time to give Russell Wilson a shot. However, Fields may have done enough to secure the job for the long term.
On October 7, Bleacher Report analyst Alex Ballentine called for the Steelers to extend Fields for the 2025 season.
“Justin Fields is proving that he deserves to be brought back next season,” Ballentine wrote. “He has his flaws, but he’s demonstrated a solid grasp of [Arthur] Smith’s offense, and Smith has figured out how to highlight Fields’ strengths.”
Ballentine concluded that “the partnership has been mutually beneficial, and it would make sense for the Steelers to re-sign him on a one-year deal as the starter.”
Steelers & Dolphins: Potential Trade Partners for QBs
In the same article, Ballentine also floated the idea of the Miami Dolphins trading for Russell Wilson ahead of Week 6, potentially ending Pittsburgh’s quarterback debate.
“The Dolphins’ offense has struggled since Tua Tagovailoa’s third concussion sidelined him,” Ballentine wrote. “His return timetable is still unclear, and he’s not eligible to come off injured reserve until Week 8 at the earliest.”
Although Miami managed to win in Week 5, their offense looked shaky. Ballentine addressed this by suggesting a move for Wilson.
“With Tyler Huntley and Skylar Thompson running the offense, the Dolphins are going to find it tough to win games,” he continued. “Reaching out to the Steelers to inquire about Wilson could be a smart move.”
Ballentine added that Pittsburgh’s success with Fields might encourage them to move on from Wilson.
Steelers QB Justin Fields Finds Support After Cowboys Loss
Ballentine wasn’t alone in backing Fields after the Steelers’ loss to the Cowboys. Former NFL quarterback and ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky also stood by him during the October 7 episode of “Get Up.”
“If they replace Fields with Wilson in Week 6, that would be a mistake,” Orlovsky said when asked about a potential quarterback switch. “Pittsburgh’s problem isn’t the quarterback—it’s the offense.”
“The offensive line is underperforming, and the running game isn’t where it should be,” Orlovsky explained. “There are a few plays where you’d want to see better decision-making from Justin [Fields], but overall, the receivers aren’t getting open enough.”
Orlovsky recommended bringing in a strong wide receiver to play alongside George Pickens, and suggested the Steelers explore trading for Davante Adams.
“They can’t beat man coverage on third downs,” Orlovsky stressed. “The fix isn’t the quarterback—it’s adding another reliable pass-catcher to complement Pickens.”
Popular Steelers blog Steelers Depot echoed Orlovsky’s stance on X, voicing their support for Fields.
“I’m open to hearing a strong argument for starting Wilson over Fields, but right now, it feels like a lateral move,” they tweeted. “You lose a lot of mobility without Fields.”
Finally, ESPN host and Steelers fan Stephen A. Smith echoed Orlovsky’s plea for help on “First Take,” urging the team to add a receiver. “Get the quarterback some help,” he insisted after a passionate segment.