Steelers predicted to sign former $128 million Super Bowl champion QB as insurance

Mike Moraitis

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Steelers predicted to sign former $128 million Super Bowl champion QB as insurance image

While the Pittsburgh Steelers need to figure out who will be their starting quarterback in 2025, they also have to find a solution for the backup job.

Not only are Russell Wilson and Justin Fields both pending free agents, but so is the team's No. 3 signal-caller, Kyle Allen. Fields served as Pittsburgh's top backup last season, but he will likely move on if the team re-signs Wilson to be the starter. The same can be said about Wilson if Fields is signed to take the No. 1 job.

"I wouldn't close the door, but I'd say it's probably unlikely," Steelers owner Art Rooney said of the team re-signing Wilson and Fields. "I think both of them see themselves as starters and I don't know that they want to share the same job again next year. So, I would say most likely we probably don't wind up bringing them both back."

With that in mind, CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin believes the Steelers will go on to sign Kansas City Chiefs backup quarterback Carson Wentz, who is also a pending free agent this offseason.

"Assuming only one of Fields or Wilson returns, Pittsburgh will be in the market for a new backup," Benjamin wrote. "Wentz, who began his NFL career in Pennsylvania, could offer Steel City size, grit and experience."

Wentz once looked like the long-term answer for the Philadelphia Eagles after a strong start to his career led to a $128 million extension, but injuries and then ineffective play eventually derailed him. He managed to win a ring while in Philadelphia, but he did so from the sideline due to injury.

Wentz got two more opportunities to start, one with the Indianapolis Colts and one with the Washington Commanders, but he wasn't able to revive his career in either spot. Since then, Wentz has spent stints as the backup with both the Los Angeles Rams and Chiefs.

The Steelers will likely look for a veteran backup as an insurance policy behind whoever they sign, and Wentz would be a strong option for that role. And, Wentz could have interest in playing under offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who has had success reviving the careers of a few quarterbacks.

Spotrac estimates Wentz will land a one-year, $1.9 million deal. For that price, it would make sense for Pittsburgh to bring him in.

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Mike Moraitis

Mike Moraitis is a freelance writer who covers the NFL for the Sporting News. Over his nearly two decades covering sports, Mike has also worked for Bleacher Report, USA TODAY and FanSided. He hates writing in the third person.