Steelers: Justin Fields’ arrival hits Pittsburgh with 1 more crucial decision to make
The Steelers must now make two crucial decisions in their fifth season.
Najee Harris and Justin Fields are about to start their fourth seasons in the NFL. The Steelers can thus choose to exercise the fifth-year contract option held by the two former first-round selections. Pittsburgh’s choice is all the more fascinating for the nuances of the possibilities.
According to information from Steelers Depot, fifth-year options are arranged into levels according to players’ playing and amount of Pro Bowl selections. Although Harris was an alternate, his Pro Bowl performance in his first season is not taken into account in the criteria.
Fields and Harris are both included in the playtime category. Fields’ option is valued at $25,664,00, while Harris’ is valued at $6,790,000. Given Harris’ outstanding performance, many think the Steelers would get a great deal with his option.
On 255 carries in the 2023–24 season, Harris accumulated 1,035 yards and a career-high eight touchdowns. His performance was almost exactly the same as it was in 2022–23, the season before his Pro Bowl-caliber rookie year.
Harris should be able to maintain his momentum in 2024 despite the Steelers’ recent roster adjustments.
In light of the personnel changes, how will the Steelers offense appear?
There’s a new quarterback core in Pittsburgh. To head the offensive unit, the club signed experienced quarterback Russell Wilson from the Denver Broncos. Wilson, an accomplished professional, has had a solid year. But Justin Fields remains the Steelers’ greatest question mark.
Fields leaves the Bears after three years to join Pittsburgh. While assisting Chicago to a 7-10 record in 2023–24, he witnessed only modest statistical progress, and the team was unable to qualify for the playoffs.
Fields now has a renowned, seasoned quarterback to learn from. Maybe he can make a big step and establish himself as a key component of Pittsburgh’s exciting attack.