This has certainly been a rollercoaster of emotion for Steelers fans. Just days after signing veteran QB Russell Wilson to a one-year $1.2 million deal, Kenny Pickett was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. Now Pittsburgh just made another roster move... and it's a bit one.
On March 16th ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Pittsburgh Steelers have traded for Chicago Bears quarterback, Justin Fields.
Bears are trading Justin Fields for a 2025 6th-round pick that goes to a 4th-round pick based on playtime, per sources. pic.twitter.com/E7JY7K60Wn
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2024
Rumors early in the offseason suggested that the Bears were looking to get a second-round pick in exchange for Fields. Chicago owns the number one overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and they are set to take USC star quarterback, Caleb Williams.
Instead, the Steelers will get Fields for just a 6th-round pick in 2025 (which could increase to a 4th-rounder, depending on play-time incentives).
Steelers fleece the Bears in a trade once again
It certainly feels like the Steelers robbed the Bears a second time in the past two years. During the 2022 season, Pittsburgh shipped Chase Claypool to Chicago for a 2nd-round pick just before the NFL trade deadline. That pick ended up being the 32nd overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft (which the Steelers used to draft CB Joey Porter Jr.).
Now Pittsburgh just landed Justin Fields for a fraction of the original asking price. This is a huge win for the Steelers.
Omar Khan and Andy Weidl revamped a struggling quarterback room in a matter of just a few days -- adding experienced veteran Russell Wilson and a toolsy young quarterback in Justin Fields. All that it cost them was a late-round pick in the 2025 draft.
Early reports indicate that the plan is for Wilson to start, but with Fields waiting in the wings, he could be elevated to the starting lineup if Wilson struggles.
Fields is the former 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. During his three seasons in Chicago, Fields has recorded 40 passing touchdowns to go with 30 interceptions and an 82.3 passer rating. however, he showed progress in his third season in 2023 when he managed to earn 20 total touchdowns and just 6 interceptions.
Fields has lethal legs that could be beneficial to the Steelers if called upon. Though fumbles have been an issue, the athletic quarterback has rushed for a whopping 2,220 yards and 14 touchdowns in 40 career games, per Pro Football Reference.
Though the Steelers will need to pick up Fields' fifth-year option if they want to keep him around beyond the 2024 season, this trade comes with minimal risk involved.
What's remarkable is that the Steelers actually earned more draft capital by trading Kenny Pickett than they gave away by trading for Fields. Who would have thought this would be the case?
Omar Khan is at it again, and Steelers fans have a lot to look forward to in 2024. Justin Fields may not prove to be anything more than a backup with immense tools, but this is a gamble that nobody should be upset about.