Steelers Now
Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger doesn’t think it’s smart for Pittsburgh to give Russell Wilson a big payday.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a difficult decision to make at quarterback this offseason. Will they bring back Russell Wilson, Justin Fields or start fresh with a new single caller for the 2025 season? Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger believes it depends on what kind of payday they’re looking for.
Wilson looked primed to earn himself a big payday this offseason when he helped the Steelers win six of seven when he took over as their starter in Week 7. However, he played a large part in the team’s five-game slide to end the season.
Despite that, some still believe Wilson could receive a $100 million deal in the coming months. Roethlisberger doesn’t think that should be the Steelers if that’s turns out to be true.
“What’s Russ going to ask for? Is he going to ask for $30M to $35M, which some of these quarterbacks are making? I personally wouldn’t do that,” Roethlisberger said on the latest episode of “Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger.” “I think there’s a number. I don’t know what that number is, but I think there’s a number depending on what your cap and stuff is looks like.”
If another team is willing to give Wilson that type of payday, then it would be smart of the Steelers to let him walk with several other needs to address.
That would still leave a big question mark at quarterback, but bringing back Fields is also an option, and a potentially much-cheaper one at that.
“Obviously, the quarterback situation is huge. Justin Fields is obviously one of the options,” Roethlisberger said. “Do you try to bring him back this year with the opportunity to be in the same system for another year?”
It remains to be seen what kind of contract Fields could receive this offseason, but after having several head coaches and offensive coordinators to begin his young, NFL career, Pittsburgh’s stability could influence him to stay.
Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has interviewed for a couple of head coaching jobs, but it’s starting to look more and more like he’s going to remain in Pittsburgh.
If that’s true, bringing back Fields on a prove-it deal could make a lot of sense for both sides.
“Is there a merit to keeping Justin here and making him your starter next year and give you another year in the system, see what else you can bring with him,” Roethlisberger asked. “I mean, he was 4-2 when they changed.”
