The Pittsburgh Steelers were recently knocked out of the NFL playoffs by the Baltimore Ravens, a tough way to end the season, especially when it’s at the hands of a division rival. This loss puts the team in a tough spot as they now need to assess their quarterback situation heading into the 2024 offseason. The Steelers face critical decisions regarding whether to keep Russell Wilson despite his age, or whether Justin Fields is ready to be the full-time starter.
These are some of the key questions Pittsburgh will need to address, but they’ve already taken a step in that direction by adding another quarterback to their roster shortly after their playoff exit. Skylar Thompson has signed a futures contract with the Steelers, according to his representatives. He will join Wilson, Fields, and Kyle Allen on Pittsburgh’s current 90-man roster.
With Wilson, Fields, and Allen all set to become free agents in March, the Steelers will have to decide how to handle the future of the quarterback position. Wilson will be 37 during the 2025 season, which may make the Steelers hesitant to commit to an aging quarterback. While Fields performed well in Wilson’s absence this season, Wilson’s return as a starter took the team’s play to a higher level. It remains to be seen whether the Steelers will have enough confidence in Fields, a former first-round pick, to offer him a long-term contract.
Thompson joins Pittsburgh after spending his first three seasons with the Miami Dolphins. The Kansas State product was drafted in the seventh round in 2022 and started three games as a rookie, including the Dolphins’ playoff game against the Buffalo Bills. He made another start this season after Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion, also against the Bills in Week 2.
The Steelers are reportedly planning to retain head coach Mike Tomlin for another season in 2025, and with Thompson now added to their quarterback mix, the team’s decision on Fields and Wilson will likely unfold during the offseason.
