Insider: Two Things Holding Steelers, Justin Fields Apart

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Justin Fields are tied up for two reasons.

Dec 1, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images / Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers are working on a deal with Justin Fields to bring back the 26-year-old for another season on a new deal. But as free agency approaches, a deal hasn't been finalized, which is bringing up plenty of concern and questions about why.

Well, there may be some answers to those questions. According to CBS Sports' Aditi Kinkhabwala, Fields wants to return to Pittsburgh because of the faith the team had in him last season, but is contemplating his market in free agency, and is worried about how things transpired last season with Russell Wilson.

"The impediments, as I am told them? 1) There IS a market for him and he could chase money. 2) He has to get past any sting/distrust from this season, when there was player/assistant sentiment in the building that he return to the starting spot, but Mike Tomlin chose not to do so," Kinkhabwala wrote on X.

If Justin Fields wants to affirm he is indeed a starter in this league (and a starter to stay), his best path is to sign with the #Steelers. He is familiar with the offense, he has an offensive staff that absolutely believes in him and he freely told our @NFLonCBS crew how the…

— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) March 7, 2025

Fields started the first six games of the season for the Steelers last year, going 4-2. He was benched for Russell Wilson, who returned from a calf injury. There was plenty of questions about why Fields was benched considering he scored 10 touchdowns and had just one interception during his run.

Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith also became a big fan of Fields during the time. And plenty of players in the locker room shared their support of him as well.

Fields and the Steelers are believed to be working on a deal that could get done before free agency. If it doesn't get done, the door opens for a number of scenarios, with the chances of Fields leaving for another team becoming much more likely. And chances are it'd be for a higher salary.

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