The Pittsburgh Steelers have been heavily linked to a Justin Fields deal, but while it’s a fantastic fit, trading for the Chicago Bears quarterback carries its own concerns.
If the Steelers acquire Fields from the Bears, his contract will swiftly come into focus.
Pittsburgh Steelers’ potential Justin Fields’ Problem
Aaron Schatz of ESPN felt that the Steelers should trade for Fields this offseason. Fields should be available at a reasonable price, given that the Bears are expected to trade him in order to choose a quarterback with the first overall choice in the 2024 NFL Draft.
While the Steelers have officially supported Kenny Pickett, there is no doubt that Fields is a superior quarterback with a larger ceiling. His dual-threat abilities should be especially handy against Pittsburgh’s very subpar offensive line.
However, as Schatz pointed out, adding Fields would need the Steelers to make a swift decision on his fifth-year option. If they choose that option and he develops into an exceptional quarterback in Mike Tomlin’s system, they will have to pay him then.
Shatz wrote the following about the Steelers’ need to trade for Fields:
“Fields had a higher QBR than Kenny Pickett previous season, 46.1 to 38.2, but it was mostly because to his rushing ability. Fields hasn’t improved much as a passer over the last three years. His highlight plays are intermingled with too many average failures, and he gets sacked far too frequently. However, the issue here is on the upside. Fields still has more potential than most other young quarterbacks. If you could improve his passing, you’d have a solid NFL starter. Fields’ scrambling abilities would be especially valuable behind a Pittsburgh line that finished 17th in pass block win rate (57.6%) in 2023.
“The issue with Fields is that you must decide right away whether to extend him with a fifth-year option, and if he develops, you must sign him to a large contract in two years. Still, the upside is appealing. “Pickett lacks the same panache.”
Of course, the Steelers would want Fields to prosper and realize his full potential. However, if he is successful in Pittsburgh, negotiating his next contract will be difficult.
Experts Support Justin Fields’ Trade to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
For what it’s worth, many experts and observers believe Justin Fields is an excellent fit for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Former NFL general manager Mike Tannenbaum recently stated that if both Fields and Kirk Cousins become available, the Steelers should choose Fields.
However, the Steelers do not appear to have made a decision on how to handle their quarterback problem. Aside from Fields and Cousins, Russell Wilson has also been suggested as a potential target.
Fortunately, fans won’t have to wait long to see what the Steelers do.
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