Bears QB Justin Fields ‘May Fall’ to Steelers: Analyst
ESPN’s Louis Riddick argued that Justin Fields’ drop in trade value could help the Pittsburgh Steelers acquire the quarterback.
The Athletic reported on March 4 that the Pittsburgh Steelers are “not pursuing” the top available quarterbacks this offseason such as Justin Fields. But ESPN’s Louis Riddick predicted that could change if the trade compensation for Fields continues to drop.
While appearing on ESPN’s Get Up on March 6, Riddick argued that the lack of trade interest in Fields could turn the quarterback into an appealing trade target for the Steelers.
“If the market’s as soft for Justin Fields as we all believe it is right now, he may fall right into their hands,” Riddick said, via Steelers Depot’s Ross McCorkle. “What would be more Pittsburgh Steeler than that, for them to wait, stay true to the game as they see it, and not go out and do something totally out of character for the team, but let it come to them.
“I would bet on that kind of thing happening.”
For weeks prior to The Athletic’s report, Fields heading to the Steelers had tremendous momentum. ESPN’s Adam Schefter speculated that Fields would be worth at least a second-round pick and perhaps another selection depending on the exact values of the picks.
But on March 4, Schefter changed his tune.
“I don’t think the market for Justin Fields is as robust as the Bears, and he had thought,” Schefter said on the Pat McAfee Show.
Fields’ trade value may have dropped, but Spotrac still projected Fields to be worth $283 million on a six-year contract when he becomes a free agent.
Fields will have a cap hit of about $6 million for the 2024 season. His rookie deal also includes a fifth-year option of roughly $25.6 million for 2025.
Dave Holcomb is a sports reporter covering the Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions for Heavy.com. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb has covered college and professional sports for outlets including Fansided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. More about Dave Holcomb