Pittsburgh Steelers' Crazy First Week of NFL Free Agency

The Pittsburgh Steelers have always been considered an organization who very rarely makes headlines in the offseason, especially in free agency. Usually, the Steelers make targeted signings on day 2 or 3 of "open season" after most of the big names have already signed their new contracts. But this year is markedly different, as the Steelers had one of the most aggressive free agent and trade weeks in franchise history.

Pittsburgh started the offseason with starter Kenny Pickett as the only quarterback under contract. They released veteran Mitch Trubisky before free agency began (he has since signed with Buffalo) and lost their other backup quarterback, Mason Rudolph to the Tennessee Titans. 

But when the Denver Broncos released veteran quarterback and future Hall of Famer Russell Wilson, the Steelers attacked. The move meant that Denver was going to pay Wilson $39MM dollars to play somewhere else and Pittsburgh was able to sign Wilson to a veteran minimum deal of $1.21MM dollars for one year. The signing, at first, was thought to inject some competition for starting job and nudge third-year Pickett to higher levels. At worst, Wilson would play mentor to Pickett whom he could learn from and help in his growth. 

However, only five days later, the Steelers traded Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles in a deal where lesser draft picks were exchanged. The Steelers sent a 4th round pick in 2024 to the Eagles for a 3rd round pick in 2024 and (2) 7th round picks in 2025. 

After the trade, rumors swirled about the possibility that Pickett asked to be moved once Wilson was signed. Pickett finished his career in Pittsburgh with a record of 14-10 as a starting quarterback, but he only threw 13 touchdown passes to go along with 13 interceptions. 

Was Pittsburgh done?

In other years, the answer would have been yes. But the new administration of GM Omar Khan and Assistant GM Andy Weidl answered with a resounding "no". 

After the Pickett trade, Wilson was the now the only quarterback left in the Steeler's locker room. More needed to be done. 

Enter—Chicago Bears starting quarterback and former first rounder Justin Fields. The Bears were said to be looking for a 2nd round pick for Fields when the off-season started, but quickly realized that was never going to happen with the signings of other quarterbacks during free agency, especially once Kirk Cousins signed with the Atlanta Falcons. The Pittsburgh Steelers who always seemed tied to Fields throughout the process found a way to scoop him up for a conditional 6th round pick in 2025 that has the potential to become a 4th round pick if Fields plays 51% of the snaps in 2024. 

The Steelers in 7 days, totally changed their quarterback room and the direction that the organization is headed. Russell Wilson and Justin Fields add different dynamics to the football team. Wilson is known for making plays while scrambling and is more of a drop back passer than Fields, while Fields can beat teams with his feet and possesses an arm strong enough to make every through on the field but has been more of a playground style signal caller than pocket passer. It will be interesting to see how this quarterback battle plays out and if the Steelers use both in different game situations. One thing is for sure, the Pittsburgh Steelers offense will look a lot different in 2024.

Last season Russell Wilson threw for 3,070 yards while throwing 26 touchdowns and only 8 interceptions. Justin Fields threw for 2,562 yards and 16 touchdowns, while throwing 9 interceptions. Fields also ran for 657 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2023, coming off 1,143 yards rushing in 2022. 

Draft Nation Stats- Russell Wilson- 3rd round draft pick of the Seattle Seahawks in the 2012 NFL Draft out of N.C. State.

Draft Nation Stats- Justin Fields- 1st round pick (11th overall) by the Chicago Bears in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Ohio State.