Trade Favorite for Justin Fields Emerges, as AFC Coach Enamored With Bears QB: Report
On Monday, February 12, Adam Schefter of ESPN performed a hit on “The Pat McAfee Show.” The NFL insider said during that interview that Fields is the object of Mike Tomlin, the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Shefter stated, “Mike Tomlin is a big fan of Justin Fields.” “We’ll bear that in mind in the upcoming weeks and offseason.”
Just hours before Pro Football Talk revealed that the Steelers had chosen to cut ties with former Bears signal-caller and backup quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, Schefter’s report was released.
Former Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky leaves the Steelers
With Trubisky gone, Kenny Pickett is the only quarterback on the club with a contract that extends until March 13, which is the formal start of free agency. Mason Rudolph, who took over for Trubisky when Pickett was hurt the previous season, will likely make an attempt to sign as a free agent this spring.
The Steelers will almost definitely sign a quarterback this summer, if not more, given Pittsburgh’s current situation. The inquiry pertains to whether the organization is seeking a replacement for Pickett as a starter, a player to rival him, or a backup.
In the middle of the 2023 season, the Steelers sacked Matt Canada, their previous offensive coordinator, and appointed Arthur Smith in his place. Smith led the Atlanta Falcons as their head coach for the previous three seasons
Given Smith and Schefter’s shared Tennessee experience, Schefter admitted to McAfee on Monday that Pittsburgh loves Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill. In March, Tannehill, 35, will be able to sign free agents without restrictions.
But Schefter also identified Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson as a potential suitor and indicated that the Steelers may make a deal for Fields.
In their trade with the Steelers, the Bears may be able to raise Justin Fields’ trade value to a first-round pick
.The Steelers’ willingness to pay Fields’ asking price and the Bears’ acceptance of that price may determine whether or not to pursue Fields in a trade.
Fields has second-round trade value, and any deal involving him is probably going to revolve around a selection in 2024, according to the most recent rumors circulating around the NFL. But Fields has incredible arm and leg strength and is a legitimate starting quarterback in the NFL.
At the young age of 25, he will play in the upcoming season, his fourth in the league, and still have two years to manage costs thanks to a fifth-year team option in his contract that Chicago may activate this winter. In the event of a trade, Pittsburgh would still have the option to exercise that right and might be able to retain Fields under contract until 2025.
The Steelers may believe that their first-round selection, which comes in at number 20, is a little high for Fields. They don’t choose until No. 51 in the second round, though, which is obviously too low for the asset to be worth its weight alone.
Chicago will likely attempt to work out a plan to get Pittsburgh’s 20th pick, which may require the Bears to trade Fields for another late-round draft pick.
Nevertheless, Fields has outperformed all other Pittsburgh quarterbacks in terms of accomplishments and ceiling, and the Steelers aren’t in a position to select a top prospect to lead their attack. Because of all of that, Fields makes sense as a trade target, and Tomlin’s affection for the quarterback also helps.