Quarterback Situation
The Steelers’ top brass believes that their 2025 starting quarterback is already on the roster. Russell Wilson’s time is running out to prove himself as a reliable starter, while Justin Fields’ exceptional running and playmaking abilities could compensate for his still-developing passing skills. As the preseason finale approaches, Fields has a better chance than ever to win the starting job.
Rookie to Watch Out For
A sprained ankle early in camp put a damper on the coaching staff’s excitement over third-round wideout Roman Wilson. However, Wilson was showing enough promise to make a potential Brandon Aiyuk trade less pressing. Whether Aiyuk is added or not, Wilson can be a significant contributor in 2024, but he needs to get back on the field soon.
Keeping an Eye On
A trade involving Brandon Aiyuk is just one phone call away from being finalized. However, the San Francisco 49ers have gone silent, exploring the possibility of an Aiyuk extension. Don’t count out the 49ers’ Plan B, which involves seeing what kind of wideout they could acquire with draft picks offered by the Steelers for Aiyuk.
Fantasy Implications
Tight end Pat Freiermuth hasn’t had a standout preseason, but he’s the player I’m betting on to be the default winner if an Aiyuk trade fails to materialize. George Pickens will get his targets regardless, but Freiermuth is the next most reliable receiver on the roster. If Justin Fields wins the quarterback job, he’ll find a tight end he trusts (think Cole Kmet in 2023).
Interesting Observations
There’s palpable relief within the Steelers organization to have a quarterback decision that isn’t Kenny Pickett vs. Mitchell Trubisky. They won’t say it publicly, but the top brass was deflated last season by the lack of downfield passing and general playmaking ability at the position. It’s no wonder the entire quarterback depth chart was overhauled.
Wild Card Factor
There’s no love lost between the Steelers and Baltimore Ravens when it comes to inside linebacker Patrick Queen switching sides in this rivalry. Internally, the Ravens don’t think they’ve lost anything with Queen’s departure, while the Steelers believe they’ve added a key piece to coordinator Teryl Austin’s scheme. This bad blood is something to keep an eye on.