Justin Fields Rumors: Raiders, Steelers, Vikings, Falcons Had been on QB’s Alternate ‘Radar’

The Pittsburgh Steelers had been reportedly among the many groups quarterback Justin Fields had interest in getting traded to earlier than the Chicago Bears dealt him to Pittsburgh this offseason.

Based mostly mostly on ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, the Steelers, Minnesota Vikings, Las Vegas Raiders and Atlanta Falcons had been on Fields’ “radar” when it changed into obvious that the Bears intended to alter him and exhaust the No. 1 overall preserve within the 2024 NFL draft on a quarterback—likely USC’s Caleb Williams.

On March 16, the Bears agreed to alter Fields to the Steelers in alternate for a conditional 2025 sixth-spherical preserve that could possibly possibly change into a fourth-rounder if Fields performs 51 p.c or more of the Steelers’ offensive snaps in 2024.

Chicago before the entirety chosen Fields with the No. 11 overall preserve within the 2021 NFL draft in hopes that he could possibly possibly possibly change into the group’s first right franchise quarterback since arguably Hall of Famer Sid Luckman within the 1940s.

In substances of three seasons as the starter, Fields confirmed flashes of brilliance, including speeding for 1,143 yards and eight touchdowns in 2022.

Even though he uncared for four video games attributable to pain, Fields had his biggest passing season in 2023, winding up 61.4 p.c of his makes an strive for 2,562 yards, 16 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.

The Bears didn’t create considerable a success with Fields below heart, though, as he went ethical 10-28 in his 38 starts for the group, including 5-8 remaining season.

Chicago could possibly possibly possibly delight in old the No. 1 overall preserve within the 2024 NFL draft to handle other areas of need, but within the occasion that they look Williams as a franchise man who can expend them to fresh heights, then it’s miles sophisticated to argue with their likely decision to expend him and circulate on from Fields.

The Bears’ change return for Fields changed into surprisingly low, and it’s miles likely because most groups addressed their quarterback advise of affairs by the level a change got right here to fruition.

Of the groups that Fields reportedly had interest in, the Steelers had already signed feeble Russell Wilson, the Falcons signed Kirk Cousins, the Vikings signed Sam Darnold and the Raiders signed Gardner Minshew to compete with Aidan O’Connell.

The Raiders and Vikings dwell candidates in an effort to add quarterbacks early within the draft, and that possibility it sounds as if appealed more to them than taking an opportunity on the 25-one year-stale Fields.

In Pittsburgh, Fields will open off as the expressionless backup to Wilson, on the opposite hand it just isn’t outside the realm of possibility that he could possibly possibly possibly substitute him at some level if he struggles or will get injured.

Wilson, 35, is a 9-time Unswerving Bowler and one-time Sizable Bowl champion from his stint with the Seattle Seahawks, but he largely struggled the previous two years with the Denver Broncos, going 11-19 as a starter.

After having the worst season of his occupation in 2022 by winding up 60.5 p.c of his passes for 3,524 yards, 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, he bounced help to some stage below head coach Sean Payton remaining season, winding up 66.4 p.c of his passes for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns and eight picks.

The Steelers reached the playoffs as a wild-card group remaining season despite sad quarterback play, so even moderate play from Wilson in 2024 would be a welcome see.

On the opposite hand, if Wilson doesn’t determine, Fields could possibly possibly possibly delight in an opportunity to showcase his skill and re-price with the Steelers to doubtlessly be their lengthy-time interval starter.

It changed into a low-anxiety, high-reward funding on Pittsburgh’s segment, and a advise of affairs wherein Fields could possibly possibly possibly possibly rebuild some of his cost.