While the Pittsburgh Steelers QB room is going to look entirely different in 2024, how long Justin Fields and Russell Wilson are on the team is up to how well they play.

With both of them now headed for one year deals, it’s going to be a case of winner take all in terms of starter and long term contract.

That’s especially true when analyzing the latest report from Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette:

Steelers not expected to pick up Fields’ fifth year option
“Justin Fields, of course, now he’s in the final year of his contract. The Steelers are not going to pick up his option. They’re not expected to pick up his option,” Dulac said on the Rich Eisen Show Monday. “I don’t think there’s anything, I’m assuming, to preclude them from redoing his contract and maybe making it a two-year, three-year deal.”

Russell Wilson just signed a one-year deal for the $1.21M minimum.

Justin Fields is due $3,233,448 and the #Steelers will now have the rights to his fifth-year option.

Pittsburgh’s QB depth chart is under contract for under $4.5M total. https://t.co/ym2zUoOfST

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 16, 2024

With the Steelers unwilling to front the bill for Fields at over $25 million (the cost of a first round picks year option) it sets up training camp and preseason to be the more anticipated in recent Steelers history.

Pittsburgh can say Wilson is the starter all they want. But when the pads come on in Latrobe come late July, the best QB will win the starting job.

And while Fields and Wilson may be at different stages of their career, both carry massive chips on their shoulder and will have to prove they can still play in the league, with a shot at long-term stability and starting QB for the Pittsburgh Steelers on the line.