The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the middle of an extremely important offseason when it comes to the short-term future of the team. Right now, the organization seems to be floating in between competing for a championship and needing to truly evaluate what is best for the franchise long-term. Depending on the outcome in 2024, it could drastically switch the narrative. Art Rooney II made it clear he is growing impatient with the lack of playoff success, so Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin likely feel they need to make a strong push this offseason to take the next step.
Associated Press
Steelers GM Omar Khan is going to have to be aggressive again in the 2024 offseason, as Art Rooney II made it clear improvements need to be made.
That strong push to improve next season is likely going to be in the form of a quarterback. It is obvious the team can't go into next season with just 2022 first round pick Kenny Pickett as their only focus. With the recent release of Mitch Trubisky, paired with Mason Rudolph becoming a free agent, there isn't another option on the roster either.
Steelers Have To Add To The Quarterback Room And Some Big Names Are Possibilities
During the Wednesday morning episode of Get Up on ESPN, the Steelers' quarterback situation became a lead topic after the recent ties to current Chicago Bears quarterback, Justin Fields, came to light. Fields would be a very talented addition to the quarterback room in Pittsburgh, but his performance throughout the first three years of his career has been inconsistent as well, which would likely leave Steeler Nation very divided on his acquisition should the Steelers pursue him.
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Steelers will have an opportunity to trade for Chicago Bears QB Justin Fields (1).
When asked about trading for Fields, former NFL executive and current ESPN football analyst, Louis Riddick was asked about if he would give the Steelers' first round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft for him, which is currently the 20th overall selection. Riddick was definitely conflicted on the matter, as he took a long pause to collect his thoughts before giving his answer.
"Yeah, I'm considering it. I think we are having some long discussion about it. What kind of contract then are we going to sign Justin Fields to? Is Arthur [Smith] comfortable with what he thinks he can do with him? Again, I think you have to go off of history, compared to what he did with Ryan Tannehill. Does Arthur or does Mike [Tomlin] really like a guy like Bo Nix or a guy like JJ McCarthy?"
A price tag of the 20th overall selection for a quarterback you have to sign to a long term, high dollar, extension with limited time to evaluate him in your system is a tough pill to swallow. However, if you are able to land your quarterback for the future that can lead your team, there really isn't a price tag too high that can be put on that.
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Steelers could be targeting a QB with the 20th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and Bo Nix will potentially be the top option available.
This same question was also asked to NFL Draft expert Field Yates, who heavily covers the draft throughout the year and recently had the Steelers selecting a quarterback with the 20th overall selection in his first mock draft. He wasn't totally on board with it either, but understands why that is an option for a team like the Steelers.
"I do think that 20 is a little steep though. I would be starting with a second round pick, number 50 overall, and I think Louis probably would agree with this. See if you can get it done with the center piece pick 50 and maybe some other goodies to put it over the top. But I get it, when you need a quarterback desperately and there aren't a bunch of great options, sometimes you do act out of desperation. If I had to break the tie though, I would lean to a quarterback at pick 20 before trading for Justin Fields."
It is clear which way Yates leans, which is definitely an option the Steelers will heavily consider. Considering the rookie contract, the time to develop, etc., drafting a rookie quarterback at 20th overall can make a lot of sense when you're comparing to acquiring a veteran from another team.
There is no denying the Steelers are going to consider all options at the quarterback position this offseason, and they have to considering only Pickett remains on the roster. If they do pull off a trade to acquire Fields, it would definitely be a big swing in terms of the overall talent at the position, and would prove that the team is willing to do whatever it takes to try and win in the near term.
Do you think the Steelers should trade for Fields? Is the 20th overall pick too steep of a price tag? Let us know in the comments below!
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