Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields is among the most intriguing signal-callers scheduled to be available via free agency. Fields was traded by the Chicago Bears to the Steelers last offseason. He's now expected to play elsewhere in 2025.
Fields opened the 2024 campaign as the Steelers’ starter. Despite leading them to a 4-2 record, head coach Mike Tomlin eventually replaced him with Russell Wilson, deciding that Pittsburgh’s start was a result of their defense and run game, not Fields’ quarterback play. He was Wilson's backup for the rest of the season.
Fields will hope for an opportunity to compete for a starting gig elsewhere. We've identified three potential landing spots in free agency.
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are going to acquire a quarterback capable of starting this offseason. Whether that's accomplished via free agency, or with the No. 2 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft remains to be seen.
Deshaun Watson has not met expectations of his bloated fully guaranteed contract. He recently suffered a second Achilles injury while rehabbing from the first season-ending one. The troubled quarterback may not be ready to play in 2025, and the Browns probably possess little interest in having him on the field anyway. Acquiring an affordable veteran quarterback like Fields would buy the Browns another season while they mercifully wait for Watson's ill-advised contract to expire.
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a franchise in transition. They recently confirmed they'll be releasing veteran starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers from his contract. The Jets are in full-blown rebuild mode.
New head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey are building the East Rutherford-based squad in their vision. They should be allowed freedom and patience to implement their plan. As owners of the seventh overall selection in the draft, the Jets may be too late in the order to land Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders. They may also lack interest in drafting a quarterback anyway while they're figuring everything else out.
Signing Fields would provide Glenn and Mougey with the ideal bridge quarterback before they commit to their next face of the franchise. Offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand is capable of maximizing Fields’ potential in a run-first offense built around Breece Hall.
Carolina Panthers
If Fields fails to land with a team that possesses an opening for a starter, the Carolina Panthers could emerge as a premium backup destination. Bryce Young took necessary developmental steps forward as a sophomore, but the jury remains out on his long-term potential. The Panthers will want a veteran and competitive quarterback behind him.
Andy Dalton was in that role throughout 2024. Dalton didn’t perform effectively, and the 38-year-old is no longer under contract as of March. Signing Fields would give Panthers head coach Dave Canales a tougher option with more upside behind Fields heading into the 2025 season.
The Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys are two other franchises in the market for a veteran backup this offseason.
