Steelers insider shares Justin Fields prediction after contract decision

The Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly will decline the fifth-year option attached to the rookie contract of quarterback Justin Fields, but team insider Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette believes the club could sign Fields to a different type of extension before Week 1 of the upcoming season. 

"What they will do is, I think you will see them give [Fields] a contract extension of at least two years to keep him around," Dulac explained during an appearance on the "Steve Jones Show" podcast, as shared by Matthew Marczi of Steelers Depot. "They didn't bring him around for a one-year trial. And with Russell Wilson, the idea, both from Russell Wilson's part and the Steelers' part, is that they will sign him to a longer contract after the season." 

Wilson signed a team-friendly contract to join the Steelers in March before they acquired Fields from the Chicago Bears for a conditional 2025 sixth-round draft pick. While Wilson seems on track to begin the summer atop Pittsburgh's depth chart, many believe Fields ultimately will prove to be the better option for a system embraced by offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. 

As for the type of deal Fields could land from Pittsburgh between now and September, some have suggested the Steelers could essentially replace his fifth-year option similar to what the Green Bay Packers did with signal-caller Jordan Love last spring. Others had thought Pittsburgh could keep both Wilson and Fields on "prove it" deals through the 2024 season. 

"I think you're going to see both of those guys see some kind of deal," Dulac added about the quarterbacks during the podcast. "And I think with Justin Fields, it might even happen before the season starts. Get that contract extension to lock him up to make sure there's no free agency departure next year. That is certainly the intent."

Dulac's information indicates the Steelers are hoping that Fields will either flip a figurative switch during the preseason or enjoy a positive reset learning under Wilson until the 25-year-old is ready to take over as the club's QB1 in 2025 or 2026. 

Then again, signing Fields to an inexpensive extension now wouldn't necessarily prevent Pittsburgh from moving on from him as soon as next March.