PITTSBURGH — It's a question that would have felt unimaginable or downright crazy a little more than a month ago ... yet also one that was the defining storyline of this past offseason for the Steelers.

Who's their longer-term solution at quarterback?

When the Steelers scored 44 points against the Bengals on Dec. 1, Russell Wilson looked like a slam-dunk answer. His 414 yards and three touchdowns were easily the best game since Ben Roethlisberger retired.

Here's guessing that solution feels less clear, as the Steelers have dropped three of four with Wilson producing an 86.4 passer rating during that time. For context, that's only slightly better than what Kenny Pickett (81.4) did last season.

With only two guaranteed games left, Wilson has a chance to prove he's closer to the guy we saw in his first seven starts (6-1 record, 103.9 passer rating), and his struggles over the past four have been more about George Pickens' hamstring injury and team-wide issues.

Then again, if Wilson doesn't shake this current funk, it could be fair to wonder whether the Steelers should shift their thinking to Justin Fields or perhaps address the position in a third way entering 2025.

It will be a fascinating storyline to see play out against the Bengals and beyond. Here's a look at arguments relative to scenario.

Keeping Russ

The Steelers brought Wilson here for a reason. He was always choice No. 1, and Wilson (87.4) does have the 12th-best passer rating in the NFL during his time as a starter, slightly better than Green Bay's Jordan Love (97.3) and Brock Purdy (96.1) in San Francisco.

On the surface, that feels like pretty reasonable production from someone who had a 90.9 passer rating over the previous two seasons.

We've also seen with Wilson the ability to stretch the field and get Pickens more involved. Those splits:

— Pickens with Fields: six games, 26 catches (4.3 per game), 363 yards (60.5 per game), no touchdowns, 13.96 yards per reception

— Pickens with Wilson: seven games, 32 catches (4.6 per game), 537 yards, three touchdowns, 16.78 yards per reception

However, the great unknown involves Wilson's contract desires for next season and beyond.

If he's looking for a Baker Mayfield-like three-year deal worth around $100 million, the Steelers might not want to pay that price — and it would be tough to blame them.

At the same time, Wilson has never struck me as a turn-the-screws type. He's also in a pretty friendly familial financial situation.

When Wilson took over as starter, there was a noticeable maturation of the Steelers' passing game, the team using routes and concepts that seemed to be off the table with Fields in that role.

It's also fair to acknowledge what Wilson doesn't have: a legitimate No. 2 wide receiver.

Meanwhile, the Steelers are relying on an offensive line with two rookie starters (Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick) and a second-year player in Broderick Jones who has endured growing pains. Dan Moore Jr. started strong at left tackle but has since faded.

That doesn't even cover offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's predictable play-calling — all of this outside of Wilson's control but affecting how successfully he can do his job.

Spend time around the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex or at Steelers games on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and Wilson's value as a leader and impactful veteran voice are obvious.

It's why I'd try to avoid a second straight offseason of quarterback-related questions and find a way to get it done. But I can also understand arguing for change.

Bet the Field(s)

The Steelers could certainly do worse than Fields, who went 4-2 as a starter and posted a 93.3 rating in those games. Sure, the passing game was simplified, the downfield throws minimal. But Fields' ability as a runner was also obvious.

We're also talking about a first-round pick (11th overall in 2021) who wasn't exactly done any favors by a horrid situation with the Bears. It takes time to untangle knots and burn off rust.

Since coach Mike Tomlin benched Fields in favor of Wilson, it would also be impossible for Fields to handle the situation any better. He's said and done all the right things, continuing to learn from Wilson and show his value as a teammate, the type of guy anyone should want playing for them.

It's also not like Fields is feeble-armed. Far from it. He threw for 312 yards at Indianapolis and 245 at home the next week against the Chargers. His physical ability to make all the throws has been plenty evident. What has lacked has been consistent accuracy.

If Wilson isn't an option for whatever reason — perhaps poor play or his own contract desires — Fields would surely come cheaper, with significantly more runway career-wise. The downside is that there's probably more risk, with the Steelers balancing a win-now desire with giving Fields the time and space he would need to complete development.

But there's a valid case for turning to Fields, and I'll be curious to see how much the Steelers choose to use him on Saturday night.

Different direction

The Aaron Rodgers dalliance kicked up some dust this week thanks to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio. If only those two could've looked the other way.

Anyone who thinks this is a good idea should probably go on a darkness retreat and get well, as Rodgers' passer rating is below that of Fields and a career-low for a full season of 89.1.

He's also 41 and ... let's say a sizable wild card when it comes to team chemistry. Not worth it.

I'd certainly be interested if Sam Darnold was available, though I can't see the Vikings allowing that to happen. Kirk Cousins? Gimme a break. I also disagree with the idea of trading for J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota's first-round pick in April's draft, who now may struggle to find playing time considering what Darnold has done.

I'd rather the Steelers keep the draft capital and use it to address various weak spots in the roster: wide receiver, defensive line, defensive back and perhaps Najee Harris' replacement as a backfield complement to Jaylen Warren.

That reasoning is also why I'd probably avoid taking a quarterback in the 2025 NFL draft. Nothing against Alabama's Jalen Milroe, Miami's Cam Ward, Colorado's Shedeur Sanders, Oregon's Dillon Gabriel or a few others, but they wouldn't square with the Steelers' understandable desire to win now.

Bottom line, the path of least resistance remains Wilson, the veteran who was supposed to start this season and remain here as the No. 1 guy.

Provided, of course, he can use the Steelers' remaining contests to prove that the past four games qualify as a poor pocket of the season — and not water finding its level.

(c)2025 the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.