The Pittsburgh Steelers are in an unenviable spot. Quarterback purgatory is among the worst places an NFL team can find itself, and another year of not-quite-good-enough play has kept the Steelers in place.

Pittsburgh got right-tail outcomes from Justin Fields and Russell Wilson in 2024. Both accepted their role as part-time passers, with Fields starting for six weeks until Wilson was healthy enough to make his Steelers debut. For much of the season, Pittsburgh’s play under center exceeded expectations. While a five-game losing streak ended the Steelers’ season, both did enough to earn a second contract with the team.

However, Pittsburgh owner Art Rooney II didn’t seem inclined to run it back exactly how he had in 2024.

On Monday, he spoke directly about the situation under center and revealed the Steelers’ quarterback plan as it pertains to Wilson and Fields.

“I wouldn’t close the door, but I’d say it’s probably unlikely,” Rooney said Monday, via Brooke Pryor. “I think both of them see themselves as starters and I don’t know that they want to share the same job again next year. So, I would say most likely we probably don’t wind up bringing them both back.”

There are several factors playing into why such a scenario is unlikely. Primarily, careers and opportunities are finite. If Wilson re-signs and is benched for Fields, his career could very well be over. If Fields returns to wait his turn, there’s a chance it never comes. Both proved themselves capable of being merely functional with Pittsburgh, meaning suitors should be aplenty.

Further, the Steelers might not be able to afford it. Fields made just over $3 million in the final year of his rookie deal (Over the Cap). Wilson, on a league-minimum contract, counted for $1.21 million against the cap. For top-32 quarterback play, that’s an absolute bargain.

But other teams will view the two as starters, and the going rate for even the worst veterans atop the depth chart is approximately $12.5 million. Simply put, these guys are going to get paid, and Pittsburgh would be better off writing checks for one passer instead of two.

“They’re both capable quarterbacks, and my preference would be to sign one of them,” Rooney said. “So that’ll be the priority, and I think that will give us the best opportunity to move forward.

“… We’ve got a whole quarterback room to fill, and so there’s jobs open in there. I wouldn’t be surprised if we look in the draft as well either this year or next, and so that’s got to be the priority.”

As Rooney noted, the other way out is through the NFL Draft. It remains unlikely that Pittsburgh picks the new face of its franchise in Round 1, but Day 2 dart throws remain possible.

That not only injects the room with optimism, but it’s one less spot for either veteran to claim, too.

Neither quarterback is delivering the Steelers a Super Bowl. But both have done enough to be considered a possible bridge quarterback in 2025, and how the organization opts to address the position could set the tone for the rest of its offseason additions.

“I thought both Russ and Justin showed promise in certain stretches during the season, and I think they’re both capable of being starters in this league. So we have decisions, and they have decisions, too.”