Steelers Expected to Inquire about Justin Fields

The Pittsburgh Steelers and the trade winds surrounding Justin Fields continue to intensify. Despite questions about what the team would do about their quarterback situation, a trade for Fields seemed unlikely after team president Art Rooney II’s comments last week that the team would not make any blockbuster deal for Fields.

“The question I was asked was would I consider anything like that, and I know, as we sit here today, we don’t want to close the door on anything, but I’d probably put it in the unlikely category,” Rooney told Andrew Stockey of WTAE. “Look, we like to look at any opportunity we think can make us better, so that’s why I don’t close the door on anything. But I don’t want to create a lot of speculation out there that we’re going out to make some blockbuster trade at the QB spot. I don’t. I’d put it in the unlikely category.”

But NFL insider Benjamin Allbright was asked if Pittsburgh could be one of the teams that would inquire about Fields in on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, and he said that he believes they will be one of the three teams to call the Bears about Bears and his cost.

That's one of 3 teams i expect to inquire https://t.co/oZXqSmb3XC

— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) February 13, 2024

The Bears’ first-round pick in 2021, Fields has been a three-year starter and improved every season. But now the Bears have the No. 1 overall pick and could have their sights set on Caleb Williams of USC or Drake Maye of UNC. That could result in Fields landing on the trade market.

The Steelers have committed to giving Pickett another shot as the team’s starting quarterback, but Rooney did say that they need Pickett to perform at a higher level in 2024.

“The next step, number one, would look like more points, week in and week out,” Rooney said. “Just being a more effective offense, continuing to do some of the things we were able to do this year in terms of ball control, being able to run effectively, but then add on top of that, scoring more touchdowns.”

And on Monday, only more fuel was added to that fire when Adam Schefter speculated that Fields could be a target for the Steelers on the Pat McAfee Show. Schefter believes that Mike Tomlin loves Fields, and that could spurn a move.

“We know Pittsburgh is going to go out and get some type of quarterback. Whether that’s Ryan Tannehill. Whether that’s Russell Wilson. Whether that’s Justin Fields,” Schefter said. “Justin Fields, I know Mike Tomlin’s a big fan of Justin Fields. We’ll keep that in mind during the offseason and the coming weeks.”

Last week, Schefter said that the Bears would get a second-round pick for Fields but that he would not be surprised if that was even pushed up to a first-round pick.

“Definitely,” Schefter responded when asked if he thinks the Bears could land a second-round pick. “I think they might get a 1.”

Regardless, it seems the team will not make some blockbuster trade as it stands here right now, which bodes well for Pickett. They will try to bring Mason Rudolph back, but if not, they might have to look elsewhere. And does Fields fall under blockbuster trade? It might not.