The Pittsburgh Steelers worked hard to revamp their offense and quarterback room during the 2024 offseason. They brought in a new offensive coordinator in Arthur Smith before signing Russell Wilson and trading for Justin Fields. Wilson is expected to be the starter going into the 2024 season, but the two will be in a strong competition during OTAs and training camp.
Chicago Bears
Steelers quarterback Justin Fields during his time with the Chicago Bears.
Fields knew Wilson had signed with Pittsburgh, yet he still wanted to become a Steeler. He knew he would have to compete for a starting job, and would likely start out as the backup, but still wanted to be traded to Pittsburgh. Fields confirmed during an interview at the start of OTAs that he and his agent communicated his interest in joining the Steelers with the Chicago Bears, which was reported by Mike DeFabo.
Justin Fields said he communicated through his agent to the Bears that the Steelers were his preferred destination, both before and after the Russell Wilson acquisition.
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) May 21, 2024
Long before Fields was traded to Pittsburgh, Bears General Manager Ryan Poles made it clear that the organization wanted to do right by Fields, and send him somewhere he would still have a chance of having a successful career as a starting quarterback. Chicago had other offers on the table for Fields, but they were all teams that had an established starter. Chicago chose to send Fields to Pittsburgh, where he would at least be able to compete for the starting gig.
Getty Images
Former Bears QB Justin Fields throwing a football.
Steelers Trading Kenny Pickett Opened The Door To Acquiring Fields
The Steelers were considered to be in the running for Fields ever since the 2023 season ended. The acquisition took a long time to come to fruition, and once Pittsburgh signed Wilson, it seemed like there was no chance Fields would end up donning the Black and Gold. Pittsburgh had Wilson and Kenny Pickett on the roster, who were both already expected to compete for the starting job. Pittsburgh cleared the way to acquire Fields when they sent Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Speaking for the first time since the trade, Justin Fields said he told his agent he wanted to be in Pittsburgh, but he thought the door shut on the Steelers when the team signed Russell Wilson. Fields’ agent let him know soon after that Pickett may be traded, keeping Pittsburgh…
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) May 21, 2024
As soon as Pickett was dealt, Fields and his agent started trying to work their way to Pittsburgh once again. Eventually the deal got done, as Pittsburgh only had to give up a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Michael Reaves / Getty Images
Steelers quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields meet on the field following a professional football matchup at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL with their prior, respective teams.
Fields is in a great position to learn from Wilson, and may even overtake him as the starter at some point during the 2024 season. Fields has started 38 games so far in his career and struggled, but should be able to succeed with an organization that is better at developing talent like the Steelers.
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