Report: Steelers not expected to pick up Fields' 5th-year option
The Pittsburgh Steelers aren't expected to pick up the $25.6-million fifth-year option in quarterback Justin Fields' rookie contract, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Fields - whom the Steelers acquired from the Chicago Bears for a conditional 2025 sixth-round pick in March - will enter the final year of his deal in 2024.
With Russell Wilson reportedly set to start over Fields, the decision to decline the young passer's costly option was widely expected. Pittsburgh signed Wilson this offseason after he was released by the Denver Broncos.
The conditional sixth-round pick will turn into a fourth-round selection if Fields plays at least 51% of the Steelers' offensive snaps this season.
As the owner of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Chicago parted ways with Fields in order to select a new quarterback, likely former Heisman winner Caleb Williams.
Fields produced an up-and-down three-year stint with the Bears. He sometimes flashed the potential that made him a first-round pick in 2021 but struggled with consistency, passing efficiency, and turnovers.
The 25-year-old completed 60.3% of his passes for 6,674 yards and 40 touchdowns against 30 interceptions in 40 appearances (38 starts) in Chicago.
He was, however, one of the most productive rushing quarterbacks, racking up 2,220 yards and 14 scores - including a 1,143-yard campaign in 2022 - on the ground.