What Would a Justin Fields Trade Cost the Steelers?

The Pittsburgh Steelers are involved heavily in the Justin Fields trade rumors, and it has evolved to the point where the team now has mock trades being put out about what it could look like. Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus believes the Pittsburgh Steelers can land Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields with a second-round pick in 2024 and fifth-round pick in 2025.

But is that what it would actually cost to land Fields? The Bears will have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and must decide whether they want to attempt to build around Fields or trade him and use that pick to land one of the top quarterbacks in the draft class, USC’s Caleb Williams or North Carolina’s Drake Maye.

Last week, Adam 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.”

And appearing on ESPN 1000, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport believes that not only will the Bears not move off the first overall pick, but that they can get a solid haul for Fields.

“I think the Bears could get a premium pick, a second-rounder, maybe more,” Rapoport said. “They’re in a really good spot getting so many picks no matter what they do.”

So, it seems likely that the cost will end up being at least a second-round pick to get Fields from the Bears, especially with other teams in the conversation. Rapoport answered ‘definitely’ that all of the Steelers, Falcons, and Raiders were teams to watch.

Fields took a small step forward in 2023, his third year as Chicago’s starting quarterback. The 24-year-old Ohio State alum threw 370 times, completing 227 for 2,562 yards and 16 touchdowns. He threw nine interceptions and maintained an 86.3 passer rating and a 5.29 adjusted net yards per attempt.

Last season, he was 192 of 318 for 2,242 yards, 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, an 85.2 quarterback rating and 4.63 adjusted net yards per attempt.

Fields is entering the final year of his rookie contract and the Bears — or another team, if he’s traded — must decide this offseason if they want to pick up the fifth-year option on his contract. That would be a guaranteed $25 million contract for 2025. The Bears or another club could also attempt to negotiate a traditional contract extension.