The Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback situation has been a hot topic since the spring, with Justin Fields leading the team through the first five weeks of the season. However, after back-to-back losses under Fields, there is growing speculation that it might be time to give Russell Wilson a shot at running the offense—unless Fields has done enough to secure the job long-term.
On October 7, Bleacher Report analyst Alex Ballentine urged the Steelers to extend Fields into the 2025 season.
“Justin Fields is making a strong case to return next season,” the NFL analyst commented. “Fields has his shortcomings, but he’s shown a solid understanding of Arthur Smith’s system, and Smith has found ways to emphasize his strengths.”
Ballentine concluded by saying, “It’s been a beneficial partnership for both, and the Steelers would be wise to re-sign Fields for at least one more year as their starting quarterback.”
Steelers and Dolphins as Potential Trade Partners for a QB
In the same article, Ballentine suggested that the Miami Dolphins trade for Wilson ahead of Week 6, potentially resolving Pittsburgh’s quarterback dilemma.
“The offense has struggled mightily since Tua Tagovailoa went down with his third documented concussion,” Ballentine noted. “His return timetable is uncertain, and with Tagovailoa on injured reserve until Week 8 at the earliest, the Dolphins need to explore other options.”
While Miami secured a win in Week 5, their offensive performance was far from impressive. Ballentine pointed this out in his reasoning.
“The Dolphins are going to struggle to win with Tyler Huntley and Skylar Thompson leading the offense,” he argued. “It would be wise for them to contact the Steelers about a potential trade for Russell Wilson.”
Ballentine also observed that “Pittsburgh’s success with Justin Fields might push the Steelers to move on from Wilson.”
Support for Justin Fields After Cowboys Loss
Ballentine wasn’t alone in backing Fields following the Steelers’ loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Former NFL quarterback and ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky defended Fields during the October 7 episode of “Get Up.”
“If they replace Fields with Wilson in Week 6, I would say that’s the wrong move,” Orlovsky said when asked about the quarterback situation. “Pittsburgh’s problem is not the quarterback—it’s the offense.”
Orlovsky explained, “The offensive line isn’t playing well, and they’re not running the ball as effectively as expected. While there are a few instances where Fields needs to improve his decision-making, there’s also a lack of open receivers in this offense.”
His solution? Adding another wide receiver to complement George Pickens, which he suggested the Steelers could address by pursuing a trade for Davante Adams.
“They can’t beat man coverage on third downs,” Orlovsky stated. “If Pittsburgh wants to fix the offense, the answer isn’t changing the quarterback—it’s getting a reliable pass-catcher to pair with Pickens.”
Backing Fields in the Pittsburgh Community
Steelers Depot, a popular Pittsburgh blog, echoed support for Fields on X, saying, “I’m open to hearing a convincing case for why Wilson should replace Fields, but right now, it feels like a different version of the same problem. Without Fields, you lose a lot of mobility.”
Finally, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, a well-known Steelers fan, echoed Orlovsky’s call for more receiving help on “First Take,” saying, “Please, get this quarterback some help!” after a lengthy rant on the issue.
