Sep 22, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) warms up next to quarterback Russell Wilson (3) before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

The Pittsburgh Steelers are scrambling for answers. For much of the season, the team looked like legitimate Super Bowl contenders behind a resurgent offense led by veteran quarterback Russell Wilson and a stout defense.

Unfortunately, in the late part of the season, as Pittsburgh entered a tougher part of its schedule, the wheels came off of the bus. Wilson’s production cratered and he struggled to avoid sacks behind a shaky offensive line in a four-game losing streak to close the regular season.

Many fans called for the team to make a switch to younger quarterback Justin Fields heading into the playoffs after Fields led the team to a 4-2 start on the season as Russell Wilson worked his way back from a calf injury.

The Steelers opted to stick with Wilson. The move didn’t exactly pan out, as the Steelers lost their fifth consecutive game to their bitter rival Baltimore Ravens 29-14 in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, ending their season.

In a Monday media session, team owner Art Rooney II was very blunt about the reality concerning Fields and Wilson heading into next season.

Rooney on the (Steelers) QB situation: ‘QB position is a key, key piece of the puzzle that needs to be addressed.’ He said it’s unlikely both Fields and Wilson would be re-signed,” reported Bob Labriola.

People were interested in these podcasts
Play Episode
69min
The Play-By-Play
Bill Belichick/Jordon Hudson discussion, sports media turns on NFL insiders
How does the media talk about Bill Belichick's and Jordon Hudson's relationship? People taking NFL insiders to task on how they report free agency news. Who are some of the top stars of online sports media? Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-:41: NFL insiders criticized for how they report free agent news-18:12: Kyle Hamilton of the Week-20:52: Breakout Stars of Online Sports Media Draft-43:07: How to discuss Bill Belichick’s and Jordon Hudson’s relationship?-58:11: Basketball sports betting being terrible contributing to lack of interest in the NBA-1:03:16: Women’s NCAA Tournament without Caitlin ClarkYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Play-By-Play
LeBron James undercovered, The Ringer hires four, Deshaun Watson injury reactions
The NBA season starts on Tuesday and the media side of the sport is headed for massive change. Is LeBron James "undercovered" by sports media? The Ringer hires four including Todd McShay. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more, including the reaction to Deshaun Watson's Achilles tear on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:35: ESPN still looking for third person in top NBA broadcast team-9:36: TNT’s final year with the NBA-17:51: LeBron James being “undercovered” by media-22:49: The Ringer hiring-36:36: Deshaun Watson-49:45: Defending CFB conference realignment-53:11: Unrivaled partnering with Warner Bros. DiscoveryYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Play-By-Play
Luka to the Lakers, Nick Wright's Chiefs defense, Colin Cowherd stays at FS1
Two weeks of Super Bowl coverage is going to bring repeated talking points. Sports betting companies are cutting funding for sponsored content. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more, including Deion Sanders and the Dallas Cowboys on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-:27: Podcast speed-3:19: Luka Dončić trade to Lakers-24:55: Nick Wright vs. Adam Schefter-31:23: Colin Cowherd extending with FS1-42:48: Cam Newton-56:16: Streamers-1:03:47: Super Bowl viewership will break recordsYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Play-By-Play
A mega Tom Brady NFL announcing check in with Awful Announcing's Sean Keeley
Tom Brady is 13 weeks in his NFL broadcasting career, and did his first Thanksgiving game. How is Brady doing? Has he improved? How long will he continue broadcasting? Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod, Brendon Kleen, and Sean Keeley discuss these topics and more on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:18: Tom Brady on Thanksgiving Fox broadcast-30:28: Azeez Al-Shaair’s hit on Trevor Lawrence-40:03: Ryan Day and Ohio State-50:44: Matt Eberflus and the Chicago Bears-57:23: Stugotz’s new book-59:32: Kai Cenat’s Twitch subathon-1:03:58: Fran BrownYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fans reacted to the news that both Fields and Wilson would not be returning next season on social media, and many have a preference on who they’d like to see back in the black and yellow.

“Good, sign Fields,” one fan wrote on Twitter.

“This situation screams Aaron Rodgers as a one year punt,” one fan added.

“Hope we get Fields back,” added another fan.

“Cool so we know Russ sucks and we don’t want him right?” asked one fan.

It’ll be interesting to see who Pittsburgh opts to bring back, or if they ultimately decide neither is the right man to lead the franchise into the future.

About Qwame Skinner

Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. At Next Impulse, Qwame covers sports with the same enthusiasm he brings to his recreational basketball and softball leagues.