Justin Fields’ 2025 Contract Option to be declined following Bears Trade
The Pittsburgh Steelers apparently made an early decision on Justin Fields’ future this week.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Steelers want to decline the fifth-year option on the freshly acquired quarterback’s deal.
The Steelers had a difficult decision to make before the May 2 deadline. Fields never played a snap for the team after being acquired this offseason, making it tough for Pittsburgh to decide whether to look for two sample years or only one.
The benefits of refusing this option appeared to outweigh the disadvantages.
For example, Fields’ fifth-year option was valued at $25.6 million in 2025, which is quarterback money. However, starting in 2024, Fields will be Russell Wilson’s backup. It’s absolutely feasible that he finally earns the starting spot.
The Pittsburgh Steelers appear to have made an early decision on Justin Fields’ future this week.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Steelers want to decline the fifth-year option on the recently acquired quarterback’s contract.
The Steelers faced a difficult dilemma before the May 2 deadline. Fields never played a snap for the team after being acquired this summer, making it difficult for Pittsburgh to decide whether to seek two sample years or just one.
The benefits of declining this choice seemed to outweigh the drawbacks.
For example, Fields’ fifth-year option was worth $25.6 million in 2025, which is quarterback money. However, beginning in 2024, Fields will be Russell Wilson’s backup. It’s entirely possible that he’ll eventually gain the starting spot.
If the young quarterback was less of a question mark in general, he would have demanded a higher return in a trade and not been sent to Pittsburgh as a backup. In this situation, selecting the fifth-year option would have been a no-brainer.
Despite being one of the most explosive quarterbacks in recent memory (2,220 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns in 40 career games), the 25-year-old’s pocket ability remains questionable. Fields completed only 60.3% of his passes, tossed 40 touchdowns to 30 interceptions, and recorded 135 sacks in his career, indicating that he struggled to rapidly read defenses and combat pressure with his arm.
The Bears didn’t exactly surround him with superior players,
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