The Pittsburgh Steelers have traveled down an odd quarterback path.
After Kenny Pickett fell short of being the QB answer, they pivoted to two talented quarterbacks for 2024, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.
Wilson was hurt just before the regular season began, giving Fields a runway of six starts.
In those starts, Fields went 4-2, continued to show his dynamic running ability and at times showed improvements as a passer.
But when Wilson came back, head coach Mike Tomlin benched Fields and started Russ the rest of the way.
Pittsburgh did fine with Wilson, making the playoffs before losing in the first round.
Now, though, neither QB is there. Fields will start for the Jets, and Wilson for the Giants.
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The Steelers are left with Aaron Rodgers, who finally is going to reach a contract agreement.
And, well, it's all a bit weird.
Fields entered this offseason possessing way more remaining upside than either Wilson or Rodgers. But the Steelers hadn't even let Fields get fully off the runway in 2024 before taking the job that he hadn't done anything to lose.
Rather than have a talented QB in his mid-20s with the potential for growth, the Steelers got backed into this ending with Rodgers, a 41-year old who is nowhere near the player he once was.
It's not a given that Fields does better than Rodgers did with the Jets, or vice versa.
But it's something that could age terribly if Fields happens to look sharp and Rodgers happens to look old.
It's really too bad Tomlin didn't stick with Fields through the 2024 season. Pittsburgh would've gotten a more definitive answer on his talent, and this Rodgers signing either wouldn't have happened or would've felt a lot less like a last resort.
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