Rumors this offseason linked the Pittsburgh Steelers to several quarterbacks, including Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. After all the offseason activities settle, the Steelers will have both Wilson and Fields on their 2024 roster.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on March 16 that the Steelers acquired Fields from the Chicago Bears for a conditional 2025 sixth-round pick. The pick will become a fourth-rounder if Fields plays a certain number of snaps this season.
This marks the Steelers' third major quarterback move in the past six days. Similar to the previous two transactions, the acquisition of Fields sparked a frenzy on social media.
The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly shared his reaction to the deal in GIF form on X (formerly Twitter).
This was in reference to Steelers general manager Omar Khan and would be understood by Steelers fans.
Furthermore, The Score’s Daniel Valente expressed his excitement for the Fields trade.
“The Steelers signing Russell Wilson for $1.2M and getting Justin Fields for a conditional 6th-round pick,” Valente wrote. “Omar Khan, man.”
In addition to trading for Fields, the Steelers reached a contract agreement with Wilson late on March 10 on . They also tradedKenny Pickett Philadelphia Eagles to the on March 15. The latter move allowed the Steelers to then trade for Fields.
“The Steelers were one of two teams that the Bears had earmarked — along with the Falcons — at the start of free agency as potential trade partners,”
SI.com’s Albert Breer wrote . “The Russell Wilson signing closed the door, but the Kenny Pickett trade reopened it.“It’s Caleb Williams time in Chicago.”
Additionally, ESPN’s Adam Schefter added an important detail in his second tweet on the Fields trade.
The Steelers were one of two teams that the Bears had earmarked—along with the Falcons—at the start of free agency as potential trade partners. Where the Russell Wilson signing closed the door, the Kenny Pickett trade reopened it.
It’s Caleb Williams time in Chicago. https://t.co/WvSGq7GiQl
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 16, 2024
the conditional pick for Fields will become a fourth-rounder if he plays 51% of Pittsburgh’s offensive snaps in 2024. He wrote Steelers Acquire QB Justin Fields
Trade condition update: The 2025 6th-round pick that the Steelers traded to the Bears for Justin Fields will become a 4th-round pick if he plays in 51 percent of the plays this season, per source. https://t.co/mwHyivli7I
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2024
It’s been a whirlwind of a week for the Steelers at quarterback. That also somehow feels like an understatement.
The Steelers have completely transformed their quarterback room this offseason. With Wilson, they have added a 9-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion. With Fields, the Steelers traded for a former first-round pick regarded with tremendous upside.
Yet, the Steelers quarterback room also got cheaper. It wasn’t costly in terms of draft capital required to land Fields either.
At one point this offseason,
Schefter speculated that it would cost teams a second-round pick to acquire Fields. “The Steelers have QBs Russell Wilson ($1.21M) and Justin Fields ($3.23M) for a combined $4.44 million in 2024,”
. “Plus, they get more of a return for Kenny Pickett than they gave up for Fields.” Breer wroteSB Nation’s Pride of Detroit’s X account trolled the Bears for how little they received in return for Fields.
“Not even a 2024 sixth. A 2025 sixth,”
the account posted with a laughing emoji Fields has been a dynamic quarterback at his best in Chicago. But his impressive athletic ability on his highlight reel is misleading. Fields has struggled with consistency from game to game and even play to play..
During his time with the Bears,
Fields finished with a 60.3% completion rate and averaged 7 yards per pass. He also made 40 touchdown throws and 30 interceptions, while also averaging 6.2 yards per rush and scoring 14 times on the ground. Additionally, Fields had a 10-28 record as a starter.
Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reported
on X that Fields will serve as Wilson’s backup next season. “Is there a competition between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields in Pittsburgh? A source just messaged: ‘Russ is the starter.'”
The Steelers need to make a decision by May 2
about whether to exercise Fields’ fifth-year option. This would lead to the Steelers paying $25.66 million. However, considering the low trade compensation for Fields, the Steelers will likely feel comfortable declining the option and possibly signing Fields to a new deal based on how the 2024 season unfolds.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter Faces Criticism for Edited Fields Photo
One of the more notable social media posts immediately following Fields’ trade focused on the use of a photo of the quarterback.
Schefter included a picture of Fields in a Steelers uniform in his tweet, even though Fields has never played for Pittsburgh. It was clearly edited.
Using edited photos of players in different uniforms has become common after major signings and trades during NFL free agency. However, a member of the NFL media had reservations about it for a couple of reasons.
“This might seem like 'old man yells at cloud' to many, but not too long ago it was deemed unethical for professional journalists to edit photos like this,”
Stated Matt Derrick, writer and author for the Chiefs, on X . “And … did ESPN actually photoshop Justin Fields’ face onto the body of Josh Dobbs?“Unbelievable.”
Several responses to Derrick, however, argued that he was just “an old man yelling at clouds.”
This is probably “old man yells at cloud” to many, but not so long ago it was considered unethical for professional journalists to edit photos like this.
And … did ESPN just Photoshop Justin Fields’ face on to the body of Josh Dobbs? Unbelievable. https://t.co/G5N6wEfPhK
— Matt Derrick (@mattderrick) March 16, 2024
No matter where one stands on using edited photos, it won't be long before Fields is truly a part of the black and gold.
NFL media responded to the Pittsburgh Steelers' acquisition of Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields on March 16.
