From Mirror reports

The Pittsburgh Steelers officially declined the fifth-year option for quarterback Justin Fields ahead of Thursday’s deadline, according to several media reports.

He, along with 2021 first-round pick running back Najee Harris, will hit free agency in 2025, unless an extension, trade or unexpected use of the franchise tag comes to fruition. The fifth-year option would have paid Fields $25,664,000 in the 2025 season.

Though the news became official on Thursday, it was no surprise that the Steelers opted to go this direction, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft that sources indicated that Pittsburgh planned to decline the Fields’ fifth-year option. Having been traded for a 2025 conditional sixth-round pick (which escalates to a fourth, should he play 51 percent or more of offensive snaps), the future of the position will remain very much in the air for the time being.

Despite suffering a dislocated thumb in his throwing hand in October of last season, Fields returned after four games and closed out the year with career-high marks with 197 passing yards per game and a four percent touchdown rate while throwing a career-low two percent interception rate and 19 percent pressure-to-sack rate, according to Pro Football Focus.

Ball security has been a problem that’s plagued Fields throughout his career, with 38 career fumbles, as well as the propensity for taking sacks. Fields had ranked top-seven among quarterbacks in pressure-to-sack rate in each of his first two seasons.

Now, Fields will be given an opportunity for a fresh start with a new franchise — and newly rebuilt offensive line — in the room alongside Super Bowl-winning veteran Russell Wilson.

Coach Mike Tomlin has said Fields will be given the opportunity to compete, which means a stand-out offseason could be the kickstarter to the next phase in his career approaching his fourth NFL season.