PITTSBURGH — Let's start with what should be a fairly obvious disclaimer: Justin Fields remains the smartest and most desirable option at quarterback for the Steelers.

Prior to the NFL's legal tampering period beginning March 10 at noon, the Steelers would be best-served by explaining to Fields how he'll be used, presenting a plan for how they'll accentuate his strengths and surrounding him with weapons while also offering a contract that's enticing enough to sign.

If that doesn't happen, if Fields does what I think a lot of us would probably do and decides to test the market, that's where things might get hairy.

As far as I see it, that road breaks off three different ways — and to be fair, I can't say I'm overly excited about any of it. But here's how I'd like to see the Steelers proceed if they can't get something done this week with Fields.

Mr. Unlimited

A Russell Wilson reunion, unfortunately, seems most likely for the Steelers, who crave continuity the way some of us do beer or chocolate. He wants to come back. There's certainty there. And I could see the argument for thinking Wilson might be better if his No. 2 wide receiver wasn't Van Jefferson.

I also don't like it. I don't think the majority of Steelers fans would like it.

The reason: It doesn't actually change anything. It also might be tough to put the toothpaste back in the tube after the report of Wilson being ... well, limited on audibles.

At the same time, Wilson will make some throws that impress you. The passing game was more advanced when he took over for Fields. There will be some fun moon balls ... but also not many throws over the middle. Wilson will hold on to it too long. He'll move some, better than traditional pocket passers his age (37), but also nowhere near most guys at the top of the NFL heap. There will be unbridled positivity and long answers. Everything will rock.

In other words, the perfect quarterback to drive the Steelers' Plymouth Voyager back to 9-8, 10-7 or — get crazy — maybe 11-6.

No thanks.

Mr. Uncertainty

Another route the Steelers could go seems to be Sam Darnold. The Vikings won't use the franchise tag on him, though they're apparently still interested in bringing him back.

Hard to see how that works with Darnold's potential price tag ($40 million or so) and the existence of 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, who missed last season with a torn meniscus.

The Vikings will want to move on. Darnold will want to get paid. I just don't see how that happens for Darnold in Pittsburgh.

Let the Raiders or Giants gamble on committing that much money to someone whose 4,300-yard, 35-touchdown season may have been severely system-aided.

If I'm Steelers general manager Omar Khan, that's a bridge too far, both in terms of dollars and years compared to what Darnold might get other places.

My feelings aren't all that dissimilar when it comes to Derek Carr, if the Saints wind up cutting him.

I can see arguments for keeping the in-house guys: Fields and allowing more time for his tools to develop, the continuity of having either in the same offense (regardless of its faults) for a second consecutive year and maybe some potential monetary value on a deal, allowing the Steelers to address other positions of need.

At the same time ...

Mr. Unearthed

The breadcrumbs the Steelers left behind at the NFL combine should tell us something: look for them to take a quarterback in the mid-to-late rounds. While the talent up top might not be as stellar as previous years, leveraging volume here isn't altogether dumb.

I'm actually more intrigued by Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss), Jalen Milroe (Alabama), Quinn Ewers (Texas) or Will Howard (Ohio State) than Cam Ward (Miami) or Shedeur Sanders (Colorado).

It's somewhat complicated by the fact that the Steelers still must address wide receiver, defensive line and running back through the draft. But there's depth to all three player pools, especially the first two.

If the Steelers sign Fields, my bar for taking a quarterback might be higher. I'd rather prioritize surrounding him with better players, wanting to see if he can become their quarterback of the future. But regardless, for the right situation, it's absolutely something worth considering here.

Mr. Unpredictable

If the Steelers miss on Fields, I'd honestly consider signing Aaron Rodgers. And for the right price, I'd probably do it. Let's see how that bromance with coach Mike Tomlin works out.

Regardless of whether Rodgers can still play — I'd pretty sure he can't — the entertainment value would be off the charts. Don't forget, too, that Rodgers along with Tomlin, George Pickens and others would be hugely motivated to make this work.

Will it? It's certainly fair to have doubts.

Rodgers makes late-stage Ben Roethlisberger look like Michael Vick. Rodgers' passer rating the past three years: 90.7. He's thrown 23 picks his last two full seasons compared to 21 in five seasons from 2017-21. Hurt or not, he's been pretty bad.

At the same time, it's not like the Jets are a hotbed for offensive ingenuity. With a (slightly) better team in Pittsburgh, maybe Rodgers has enough left for one more run. After all, he finished 2024 with 18 touchdowns and four interceptions (97.0 rating) over his final 10 games.

Do I genuinely want this? No, I don't. But it could be highly entertaining and/or produce the tank season the Steelers probably need.

Plus, imagine how Rodgers' weekly visits with Pat McAfee would sit with Tomlin, who would probably feel like he's dealing with Roethlisberger's radio show all over again.

There's also a part of me that wants to add Rodgers to Pickens' situation, stir in a little Stefon Diggs and see if the whole thing blows up like an elementary school science project.

Hey, at least it wouldn't be the same old stuff, right?

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