Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II said in January that his team would prioritize bringing back one of its two starting quarterbacks from 2024 -- either Russell Wilson or Justin Fields.
However, the team has pivoted significantly in the approximately six weeks since, per a report from Dianna Russini of The Athletic.
"The Steelers are expected to make an offer to pending free agent Sam Darnold, per source," Russini reported via an X post on Sunday. March 9. "Many around the league believe Darnold will wind up in Seattle, but Pittsburgh is doing its due diligence on any potential options ahead of the new league year."
The Steelers are expected to make an offer to pending free agent Sam Darnold, per source.
Many around the league believe Darnold will wind up in Seattle, but Pittsburgh is doing its due diligence on any potential options ahead of the new league year.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 9, 2025
Things could be changing in Pittsburgh based on another move the team made Sunday, sending a second-round pick to the aforementioned Seahawks in exchange for two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DK Metcalf, also per Russini.
The Steelers agreed to sign Metcalf to a five-year, $150 million contract extension, which sets him up as the top option for whomever the quarterback of the future ends up being.
That kind of investment in the 27-year-old wideout may call into question both Wilson's age, he will turn 37 next season, and Fields' abilities as a passer. While he improved from the pocket with the Steelers, Fields is a dual-threat QB who struggled at times to progress quickly through his reads and push the ball downfield to open receivers at the second and third levels while the starter for the Chicago Bears.
Pittsburgh made the playoffs last season, while the Seahawks failed to do so, and just picked up Seattle's top offensive weapon of the last few years -- all of which could potentially play into Darnold's decision of where to sign next. And where he decides to go will now clearly impact the immediate futures of both Fields and Wilson.
Related: NFL Insider Believes QB Justin Fields is Deciding Between These 2 Teams
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This story was originally published March 9, 2025 at 9:13 PM.