The Pittsburgh Steelers shocked the Steel City, as well as much of the NFL when they traded former first-round pick Kenny Pickett prior to the start of his third season. This trade comes on the heels of the signing of Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson, who was said to be competing with Pickett for the starting job. The signing of Wilson ended all of the rumors that the Steelers were interested in acquiring Justin Fields from the Chicago Bears, but now Pickett's trade has rumors stirred up again and at least one insider thinks it is more likely than some think.
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Steelers will have an opportunity to trade for Chicago Bears QB Justin Fields.
Fields, who is entering his fourth season in the league, all of which have been in Chicago, has struggled to find his footing. The Bears are reportedly picking up a new quarterback with the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and it seems logical that they would let Fields go. But interest in Fields has been low. Mark Kaboly, a Steelers reporter for The Athletic, spoke about the trade on 93.7 The Fan's PM Show, with Chris Mueller.
"That's a tough one. Don't hold me to it, but I think there's a good chance. That's the way I would do it," said Kaboly in response to the Fields to Pittsburgh question.
Kaboly, like most reporters, isn't known for taking a hard stance on a possibility like this. After all, anything can happen in the NFL. But the fact that he sees it as a good chance is certainly telling.
Pickett and Fields are in somewhat similar situations. Both have dealt with turmoil in their offensive coordinator position and both have failed to perform, as well as expected after being drafted in the first round. Pickett, apparently disgruntled with the Wilson signing, requested a trade. Fields can see the writing on the wall and knows that the Bears are likely planning to draft Caleb Williams or one of the other top college quarterbacks and start over.
During his three years in the league, Fields has completed 578 out of 958 attempted passes for a completion percentage of 60.3%, for 6,674 yards, 40 touchdowns, and 30 interceptions. Fields is widely regarded as one of the most mobile quarterbacks in the NFL, he just hasn't had the supporting cast required to be successful.
Gene J. Puskar / Associated Press
Pittsburgh Steelers' former offensive coordinator, Matt Canada sits with Kenny Pickett.
The Steelers are often linked to Fields because of the viral video of Head Coach Mike Tomlin at his Ohio State Pro Day. Tomlin and Fields can be seen chatting on video with Tomlin saying, "You know why I'm here."
Steelers Need To Get More Bodies In The Quarterback Room
Until Wilson signed his contract, Pickett was the only quarterback officially on the Steelers roster. The team had released both backups from 2023 with Mason Rudolph going to the Tennessee Titans and Mitch Trubisky returning to the Buffalo Bills. That now leaves Wilson as the only quarterback and gives him zero competition for the time being.
The Steelers have also been linked to Ryan Tannehill, who is currently a free agent. Tannehill, who is older than Fields, played for the Steelers' new Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith when they were both with the Titans.
USA Today
Tennessee Titans quarterback and 2023 free agent Ryan Tannehill.
The Steelers have some draft picks to work with, including an extra third-round pick they just received from Philadelphia as a part of the Pickett package.
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