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Steelers Rumors: Justin Fields’ 2025 Contract Option to Be Declined After Bears Trade
The Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly made an early decision about Justin Fields’ future this week.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Steelers plan to decline the fifth-year option on the recently acquired quarterback’s contract.
The Steelers had a tough decision ahead of the May 2 deadline. Fields has never played a snap for the team after being acquired this offseason, making it hard for Pittsburgh to know whether it should seek two years of a sample size or just one.
The pros for declining the option seemed to outweigh the negatives.
For one, the fifth-year option for Fields was an estimated $25.6 million in 2025, which is starting quarterback money. Heading into the 2024 season, however, Fields will be the backup to Russell Wilson. It’s certainly possible that he’ll eventually win the starting job and even thrive in the role, but for now it’s an unknown.
From an asset perspective, the Steelers only gave up a 2025 conditional sixth-round draft pick that could become a fourth-rounder depending on playing time. So even if Fields walks in a year, the Steelers didn’t give up a ton of resources for a one-year rental.