One constant we’ve heard lately is that if the Chicago Bears decide to trade Justin Fields in the next month or two, the market for him will be strong. Top insiders like Tom Pelissero, Adam Schefter, and Jay Glazer have indicated the Bears will get a big return for him. Maybe even a 1st round pick. That is certainly exciting. It would mean GM Ryan Poles could have three 1st round picks this year or two next year. Either way, it would give the Bears premium resources to continue building their roster. The bigger question remains unanswered: which teams might pay that price?
Albert Breer of the MMQB gave a somewhat unexpected answer to that during his latest column. One team that isn’t getting enough attention in the potential Fields chase is the Pittsburgh Steelers. The organization is mired in quarterback purgatory. Kenny Pickett looks like a bust. Mason Rudolph and Mitch Trubisky aren’t starters. The team needs some competition to liven things up. Breer thinks the Steelers’ strong Ohio State connections will gravitate them toward Fields.
The Pittsburgh Steelers keep talking like they’re planning to add more than nominal competition for Kenny Pickett in the offseason. “We’re not closing the door on anything,” owner Art Rooney said. Could that mean bringing in, say, Justin Fields to compete?
I wouldn’t close the door on that, especially with the powers that be in Pittsburgh having a good bond with the folks at Ohio State, where Fields starred in 2019 and ’20.
Justin Fields to Pittsburgh makes a lot of sense.
For one, it sends him to an AFC team. That means the Bears aren’t likely to see him as regularly on the other sideline. Another reason is the Steelers own the 20th pick in the draft. They might be willing to part with that, given its lower value compared to teams like Atlanta (8th) and Las Vegas (13th). Pickett was the 20th pick in the 2022 draft. The organization seems to have survived that whiff just fine, making the playoffs once again this past season. Fields is a significantly better talent who can help expand the effectiveness of their ground game. He’d also have two good receivers in Diontae Johnson and George Pickens.
Breer mentioning Pittsburgh isn’t an accident. He’s obviously hearing something. The extent of their interest remains unclear, but it must be there. The question is whether other teams might have the same idea as them. It is possible the 2024 draft class isn’t making as strong of an impression as expected. That makes a player like Justin Fields, with his considerable upside, far more alluring. If Sam Darnold can fetch 2nd, 5th, and 6th round picks, the idea Fields should demand more is perfectly viable.
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Surprise, surprise. Another Erik Lambert story. Erik, he’s a clue: look at who each team has as offensive coordinator and who their position coaches are before you put anything down. If the OC last year, didn’t develop the players (particularly quarterback and receivers), they’re probably fired. If they did, they’re probably retained. For new OCs coming in, they will START with the QB that is already signed. If they have to make a quick decision before releasing, those are the teams with some consideration. So you look at LV, Washington, Jets, Giants, very few other teams. Most teams (like Cleveland,… Read more »
Hey y’all! When you want to talk about how BAD Justin Fields was in 4th quarters and “comeback” wins (not many), let me remind you about Luke Getsy’s “conservative” (non-existant) play calling and Matt Eberflus’ defensive shell in the 4th quarter. I’m not defending whatever Fields did or didn’t do, I’m just pointing out that for an asset to be appraised of it’s value, you have to look at the context. ALWAYS. We all know that the play calling of his coaches were horrible. We all know that Fields did NOT shine. But I also know that if I know… Read more »
Let me understand this:
Albert Breer is WRONG how many times, in his guesses (speculations, predictions) and right how many times to be considered an NFL “insider”?
Is that like my “prediction” that it’s going to rain tomorrow makes me a weatherman? Or if I say it’ll rain somewhere, sometime, someday, makes me an absolute GENIUS?
If I list every team that doesn’t have a $100M quarterback signed (and throw in Daniel Jones Giants and Aaron Rodgers Jets), does that make me an NFL “Insider?”
Highly doubtful Pgh is moving off of Pickett after just 23 games. Too early to call him a bust (i personally never thought he was a 1st round talent to begin with) He was a 1st round pick, and Pgh generally just does not operate like that. Even if they somehow consider it, it’s not gona be for their 1st round pick. Two 1st round picks spent on QB’s, within 3 off-seasons, is just not something Pgh is gona do. It’s just not. If it happened I’d be thrilled, but it’s not going to.
@carlitopen – How has JF1 proven he is cut for the pressure of playing in Chicago? Have you checked out his 4th Quarter numbers, his come from behind wins, or how he performs when pressure is on?