Steelers May Already Be Setting Up For A Monumental Splash In 2025 Free Agency

The Pittsburgh Steelers' front office has operated in a completely different fashion since General Manager Omar Khan was promoted in May of 2022. He has proven that he isn't afraid to make big trades or sign significant players who weren't drafted by the organization. The most recent examples of this include signing Russell Wilson and trading for Justin Fields after moving on from 2022 first-round pick, Kenny Pickett. It's expected that one, or both, will still be around in 2025, but there's no guarantee of that. Khan is a man with a plan and one has to ask the question about the future at the signal-caller position in the Steel City.

The Steelers are unlikely to pick up Fields' fifth-year option for 2025, but could attempt to extend him instead. Wilson is 35 years old and if he doesn't live up to expectations, it's hard to imagine him being welcomed back at the tail-end of his career. Overall, Pittsburgh doesn't have a single guarantee at the quarterback spot after the 2024 season, barring an extension of either of the two.

Given Khan's track record, there's no definite answer to what he will do with the signal-caller position in 2025. Rich Eisen recently discussed the possibility of a three-time Pro Bowl quarterback taking over after just one season with Wilson and Fields. It would undoubtedly be the largest free agent deal ever signed for the Steelers' organization.

"What happens if [Wilson] doesn't work out? What if they get a look at Justin Fields and he's not the guy? Maybe the Steelers are all in. Right now, their offense costs nothing. I don't even think it's $15 million. They'll have enough money to give Dak [Prescott] a multiple of that. I think the Steelers might be in on Dak and let him finish his career in Pittsburgh."

Take it with a grain of salt as Eisen isn't reporting this as a fact, but it's on his mind, and should get Steelers fans thinking. Khan has broken the tradition of the franchise several times in his two years as the general manager. The idea of Dak Prescott parting ways with the Dallas Cowboys isn't a foregone conclusion, but it seems to be very possible.

If the Cowboys and Prescott don't reach an agreement on an extension, he is unlikely to be on the team's roster in 2025. It's not impossible, but the chances of it happening are slim to none according to ESPN's Todd Archer. If you pair this with the recent report from Gerry Dulac in a fan chat, pieces begin to fall into place that Prescott to the Steelers isn't an impossible scenario.

Pittsburgh could extend defensive lineman Cameron Heyward to lower his cap hit in 2024, but that would require reallocating money to the future. Dulac responded to a fan who asked if the organization is likely to restructure Heyward's contract in order to get some salary cap relief.

"I think they are going to leave it just the way it is," Dulac wrote.

That would mean the Steelers are set to gain $22.4 million in space in 2025. That will go a heck of a long way in signing a franchise quarterback for more than $35 million per season. The potential decision to keep Heyward's contract as is would insinuate that Khan and co. want that extra money in 2025 for something else, rather than spreading out Heyward's number.

Steelers Will Have Plenty Of Cash To Make Big Moves In 2025

As it stands now, Pittsburgh is set to have over $100 million to play with in 2025. That number will drastically change before free agency begins a year from now, but there will be plenty of money in Khan's pocket to dish out. If all goes according to plan, Wilson and/or Fields will still be around in 2025. That's no guarantee, however, and Prescott is already a name being thrown in the Steelers' direction.

Would you want Pittsburgh to target Prescott if he were available in free agency?