Mark Madden: Justin Fields has better options than staying with Steelers

This space recently floated the largely accepted notion that starting Justin Fields at quarterback next season makes sense for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Fields is 25 and has pedigree, having been selected 11th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. He’s mobile and athletic: Lamar Jackson Lite.

If Fields blossoms, perhaps he’s the Steelers’ long-term answer. If not, he can be a suitable bridge QB till the Steelers draft whoever is. It’s a logical gamble.

Russell Wilson disagrees.

Wilson is lobbying hard to return, saying he wants to finish his career in Pittsburgh. (Maybe Wilson already has.) Wilson downplayed reports of a rift between him and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and referred to Mike Tomlin as “the best coach of all time.”

Wilson must buy ChapStick in bulk.

Fields is a better choice than Wilson.

Wilson did adequately in 2024. But so did Fields when he played.

Retaining Wilson would feel like settling for mediocrity. Like not moving forward.

Fields is younger. He’s versatile. Higher ceiling. More exciting.

But does Fields want to return to Pittsburgh?

Maybe not. If I were him, I don’t.

If I’m Fields, I don’t trust anything about the Steelers’ situation.

I don’t trust Tomlin, any promises he makes or his prehistoric approach.

I don’t trust Smith. He’s Matt Canada with more tight ends.

I don’t trust the Steelers’ meager weaponry or their ability to augment. Watch them draft a defensive lineman in the first round. They played all of 2024 without a WR2.

Fields’ optimum style isn’t an option in Pittsburgh. You can’t be Lamar Jackson Lite if the main priority is not committing turnovers.

Fields needs to run the ball 10 to 12 times per game. Fields has to take risks. Fields can’t play scared. But that’s all the Steelers do.

There’s word that the New York Jets might be interested in Fields if they move on from Aaron Rodgers.

Parting with Rodgers would cost $49 million in dead cap. Fields would be relatively affordable at, say, $18 million per. Maybe less.

The Jets’ offensive line is about as bad as the Steelers’. But they have two excellent wide receivers under contract in Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson. The Jets just hired a new head coach who won’t be married to ancient history.

The Jets offer Fields a better situation than the Steelers do.

The New York Giants need a quarterback. They have Malik Nabers at wideout. The Steelers may try to get rid of George Pickens, the team’s lone playmaker.

Fields’ career could be at the make-or-break stage. He’d better choose wisely.

Fields does know the playbook in Pittsburgh.

That might be enough to drive him away.