One thing gleaned from the recent buzz around the Chicago Bears is they will have a sizable market for Justin Fields if and when they make him available for trade. Plenty of teams out there need a quarterback. It is a question of which one has the best offer on the table. One team mentioned as a viable landing spot people didn't expect was the Pittsburgh Steelers. They don't appear excited about another year of Kenny Pickett or Mason Rudolph. Unfortunately, they are too far back in the 1st round to have a shot at the top names in the draft.
That makes a guy like Fields a more desirable target. Adam Schefter of ESPN indicated there is real interest from the AFC mainstay. The two teams have already done business recently with the Chase Claypool trade, so their GMs have a working communication. It comes down to how strong the interest is. Albert Breer of the MMQB added further details to the situation. It stems from their talented supporting cast, improving offensive line, and the Ohio State ties of their head coach.
Not to mention the adaptability of their new offensive coordinator.
In his time as an offensive coach with the Tennessee Titans, (Arthur) Smith was with Jake Locker, Marcus Mariota, and Ryan Tannehill. With the Atlanta Falcons, the coach had Matt Ryan, Mariota and Desmond Ridder. So he’s built an offense, over the years, that’s adaptable to whatever type of quarterback he happens to have.
Then, there’s this: Mike Tomlin is as wired into Ohio State as any coach in the NFL, save for the guys, like Mike Vrabel, that actually played there. So he’s gonna get the goods on Fields, and know what needs to be done to get the most out of him.
Add it up, and I actually think the Pittsburgh Steelers are the ideal landing spot for Fields, where he’d enter into a competition with Kenny Pickett, plus have an improving offensive line and talented group of skill players around him. I think it’d work for the Steelers, too, in giving them two shots at finding a long-term answer, rather than just one, at the position.
Justin Fields to the AFC feels like the desired outcome.
Chicago won't want to turn immediately around and face him with another NFC team. Sending him to the other conference will limit the number of times they have to hear about how things went wrong. If he happens to become a good quarterback, he will be the AFC's problem, not theirs. Plenty of people are upset the Bears are even considering this. Fields just started showing signs of progress last season. It feels like they're abandoning the project right as it is coming to fruition. However, attaining the #1 pick and his limited progress as a passer have forced their hand.
Pittsburgh is a good landing spot for him. Justin Fields would play under a proven head coach who won't be going anywhere. He'd have weapons. If he can't find success with that team, it will settle any debates about whether he is franchise material. Chicago expects to land at least a 2nd round pick for him. Some believe a 1st is possible if the market is strong enough. It will come down to whether the Steelers are ready to pay the necessary price. Their 2nd rounder is on the lower side compared to other QB-needy teams. That could make a deal challenging.
