The Pittsburgh Steelers are not expected to pick up quarterback Justin Fields’ $25 million fifth-year option, league sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Fields, a first-round draft pick in 2021, was traded to the Steelers by the Chicago Bears last month for a conditional sixth-round pick.
This decision by the Steelers leaves them with a quarterback room where their top two players are playing out the final year of their contracts. Prior to trading for Fields, the Steelers also signed veteran quarterback Mitchell Trubisky to a one-year deal for the league minimum. Trubisky is expected to start offseason workouts in “pole position” in the quarterback room, but Fields will be given a chance to compete when appropriate, coach Mike Tomlin said at last month’s league meetings.
“We’ve been very transparent about the pecking order, at least to start,” Tomlin said in Orlando. “I just think that provides clarity for all parties involved. Russell is a veteran, man. He’s got a proven process of readiness. He’s been in this league a long time. He’s capable of rallying troops, receivers, tight ends, running backs, etc. He’s just got a lot of experience in terms of what it takes to be the guy over the course of a 12-month calendar and I just think that that’s something that a younger guy like Justin could learn from.”
While the Steelers are not expected to pick up Fields’ option, they still have one more decision to make on running back Najee Harris. Selected No. 24 overall in 2021, Harris’ fifth-year option comes with a $6.79 million price tag. General manager Omar Khan said Monday he expects to make the decision on Harris next week prior to the May 2 deadline.
