Trade Price Reveal: Steelers Now Know How Much It Will Cost For Bears Justin Fields According To ESPN

The Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback situation continues to look murkier, particularly when looking ahead to the future. Kenny Pickett hasn't taken a step forward in his second NFL season, which has led to doubts on if he can be the long-term guy. After his ankle injury weeks ago, Mason Rudolph has stepped up in the past two weeks. Not only has the veteran performed well, but the Steelers are 2-0 with him as the starting quarterback this season.

Regardless of his recent success, it's hard to trust the 28-year-old as a legitimate option for the long-term. Pickett is still the likely starter for the 2024 season, as it's still only been less than two years since the team used a first-round pick on him. The Steelers could entertain external options as well though, whether it be in the NFL Draft, free agency, or even through trade. 

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields could be one potential option for Pittsburgh's front office. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler disclosed what it may take to land the 2021 11th overall pick.

"The consensus in an informal poll of league evaluators is that Fields would be worth a second or third round pick in a pre-draft trade."

The Bears have officially landed the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, which comes via the Carolina Panthers. Chicago will have months to make a decision, but it won't be an easy one. Caleb Williams is considered a generational talent at the quarterback position, and the Bears could very well take him. If not, they could trade out of the first pick and get a ton of value.

They did just that last year with the Panthers, as it helped them land wideout DJ Moore and several picks. Fields is in his third NFL season, and it has come with mixed results. The team is just 10-27 in his 37 career starts, a lot of which hasn't been his fault. He has the arm talent and overall ability to still be a franchise quarterback, so it will be a huge decision for Chicago's front office.

Should The Steelers View Fields As A Long-Term Answer At QB?

Fields' legs are perhaps his best attribute, and they were on full display in his semi-breakout 2022 campaign. In 15 games, Fields ran for 1,163 yards and eight touchdowns. While he has taken a bit of a step back in that department this season, his elusiveness is still up there with the best in the NFL. Not only does he use it to pick up yardage, but it also comes in handy when he evades pass-rushers. 

That also has been one of his biggest criticisms too though, the fact that he tends to hold onto the ball too long. When Fields has been healthy in 2023, he has had a great connection with Moore. In the recent days, Moore has advocated for Fields staying in Chicago with the possibility of drafting a guy like Marvin Harrison Jr. in the top-five. Fields has been connected to the Atlanta Falcons the most, which makes sense for a multitude of reasons.

His rookie contract runs through the end of the 2024 season with a fifth-year option for 2025. It's not a lock that the Bears will trade Fields, but if they do, it's almost certainly something that the Steelers should entertain. He's not the style of quarterback that Steelers fans have seen over the years, basically since the days of Kordell Stewart. At the price that Fowler has heard though, it would be tough to pass up the talent of Fields.

What would you do for the Steelers to trade for Fields? Would you acquire him for the value that Fowler reported? If the team did trade for Fields, what would this mean for the future of Pickett? Share your thoughts on this topic in the comment section below, as well as on our social media sites, yinz!

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