If the Chicago Bears decide to trade quarterback Justin Fields this offseason, they might get interest from a few teams that are in need of a quarterback, but it seems like the Pittsburgh Steelers have other ideas for their quarterback room.
Over the course of the last month of the offseason, the Steelers have become one of the odds-on favourites to acquire Fields via trade. Head coach Mike Tomlin is a “big fan” of the Bears quarterback, according to an early February report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Last week, Schefter added that the team is reportedly “in the conversation” to acquire the quarterback in 2024.
Though the Steelers have the second-best odds to get Fields, Dianna Russini of The Athletic claims that they are not “actively” trying to trade for him. Rather, they intend to keep constructing around 2021 first-round pick Kenny Pickett.
The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo wrote about his colleague on March 4: “Moreover, league sources told The Athletic’s Dianna Russini that Pittsburgh is not among the teams actively working to trade for Fields.” “League sources also claim that Pittsburgh is not interested in signing Kirk Cousins or Baker Mayfield in free agency.”
Fields and the Bears may have found a compelling trade partner in the Steelers. In his second season in 2023, Pickett failed to deliver consistent quarterback performance for them; in contrast, Fields would have provided them with a different kind of player under centre, one who is more dynamic in terms of maintaining plays and creating movements with his legs.
With Chicago trading its second-round pick for Montez Sweat on October 31, Pittsburgh also had a chance to make a strong bid with the No. 52 overall selection in the second round.
But the Bears’ options are becoming less if the Steelers are really out on the field.
Expectedly, the Falcons will give Kirk Cousins priority in free agency.
There are other teams hoping to sign Fields in search of a QB replacement besides the Steelers. ESPN’s Dan Graziano reports that when free agency opens up next week, the Atlanta Falcons, who have been the team most interested in trading for Fields, intend to give Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins top priority.
“Several people have informed me this week that the Falcons’ best quarterback option, if Cousins is able to enter free agency, is to sign him rather than trade for Justin Fields,” Graziano wrote on March 3 following the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine.
Although the Falcons may not get their wish with Cousins, it is important to remember that there are “very clear indications,” according to PFT’s Mike Florio, that Cousins is considering relocating his family to the Atlanta region as of March 4. Even yet, the Vikings may try to retain Cousins in 2024, which would leave the Falcons in a difficult situation and force them to consider their other choices, which may or may not involve Fields.
Bears Are “At Peace to Hold Off” on Trading Justin Fields
In any case, Fields’ trade by the Bears before the start of free agency is not imminent. Bears general manager Ryan Poles has “positioned” the team to move Fields in the next few days if the timing makes sense, but he is also “open to waiting a bit” to see how the other QB chips fall, according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated.
Breer wrote, “The team’s flexibility is key.” “Chicago will realistically want to get the best return on their 11th draft choice in 2021. It has not been operating with the presumption that it will receive a first-round pick, and it most likely won’t. Rather, the Bears have examined past data points as models.
Given that the Steelers and Falcons are already out of trade talks, the Bears may be engaging in a risky game of chicken with the quarterback market. But not everyone will be able to sign a quarterback in free agency, and according to Graziano, Fields will also be “on the radar” of Las Vegas and Minnesota in the upcoming days.
Tango requires two people.
