Pubicly, the Pittsburgh Steelers are saying the right things about incumbent quarterback Kenny Pickett. They believe that he can be the long-term solution under center. At the very least, that’s what head coach Mike Tomlin and Co. want us to believe.
Internally, it’s a completely different story. Reports broke this past weekend that the Steelers could target former Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill during NFL free agency.
We now have another report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter linking Pittsburgh to a higher-profile name on the NFL trade block.
Schefter reported on Monday that Pittsburgh is going to add another quarterback to the mix this offseason. He specifically mentioned Chicago Bears youngster Justin Fields as someone who Tomlin has always liked. Denver Broncos Pro Bowler Russell Wilson is yet another option for Pittsburgh. He’s slated to be released next month after surprisingly finding himself benched late in the 2023 season.
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Justin Fields as a realistic option for the Pittsburgh Steelers
At this point, it’s almost a foregone conclusion that Chicago is going to trade Fields this offseason. The team boasts the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and continues to be heavily linked to former USC star Caleb Williams.
The asking price will likely be a second-round pick and change, making Fields a relatively cheap option for a team like Pittsburgh.
Despite uneven play during his three-year career in Chicago, Fields is still only 24 years old and boasts a nice amount of upside.
- Justin Fields stats: 60% completion, 6,674 passing yards, 2,220 rushing yards, 54 total TD, 30 INT
As for Pickett, the 2022 first-round pick just has not lived up to expectations in Pittsburgh. He threw a mere six touchdowns in 12 starts this past season. In two years with the Steelers, Pickett has tallied a mere 13 touchdowns with as many interceptions in 24 starts. That’s just not going to cut it.
Bringing in Fields as competition makes sense. That’s especially true with veteran quarterback Mitchell Trubisky unlikely to return to the Steelers next season.