In an unexpected if not outright bizarre trade, the Pittsburgh Steelers acquired Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields on Saturday in exchange for next to nothing in draft compensation.
It’s a conditional 6th round pick that can become a fourth rounder going to the #Bears. And a new era in Chicago https://t.co/jE65yV0jzm
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2024
Despite signing free-agent quarterback Russell Wilson and jettisoning former first-round pick Kenny Pickett to Philadelphia, the Steelers weren’t done reshaping their quarterbacks room. The acquisition of Fields immediately prompts one to question not just why but which quarterback will be the starter.
Is it a competition between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields in Pittsburgh?
One source just texted: “Russ is the starter.”
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 16, 2024
It comes down to for how long, because from nearly everything we’ve seen out of Wilson in the last two-plus seasons suggests he will have a tenuous grasp on the starting gig. Fields, however, has flashed here and there but ultimately battled injuries and a slower development pace as a passer than Chicago’s brass was willing to accept.
Fantasy football outlook
Conservative-minded Arthur Smith is the new offensive coordinator in the Steel City, and the underwhelming cast of skill players don’t do enough to tip the scales in favor of Wilson being anything better than a shaky QB2 draft target. Adding the stress of Fields looking over his shoulder only further complicates this situation.
Presuming Wilson indeed remains the starter entering Week 1, it’s only fair to wonder how long it will last before Fields gets his shot. It’s entirely possible the Steelers will stick it out with Wilson this entire season and then turn the keys over to Fields. Pittsburgh has to make a decision about his fifth-year option before May 2, which seems like a lock to be picked up given they were willing to trade anything for him.
Should Fields wind up in the starting lineup at some point this season, he’ll be no worse than a matchup-based No. 2 quarterback thanks to his legs alone. As a real-life starter, he certainly would present QB1 upside in fantasy.
On the other side of this deal, the Bears now will retool under rookie quarterback Caleb Williams it would appear, and the upgraded talent acquired the past few days will put him in a good position to hit the ground running (and passing). We’ll dive deep into that one once the NFL draft comes to pass.
