PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It’s one of the latest quarterback rumors around the Steelers. You might think it’s just more talk, but would this specific one be a no-brainer?
Bears quarterback Justin Fields to the Steelers for a third-round pick.
It was the lead of the PM Team on Friday with the potential add of the 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. So, is that just nonsense or something to consider?
Fields is going into his fourth year, with a cap hit of $6 million according to spotrac.com. If his fifth-year option is picked up, by either the Steelers or Bears before the deadline, it would cost the Steelers around $25 million in 2025. They might have to make that decision before he played a snap for them.
Starting 10 games as a rookie out of Ohio State, Field has improved every season.
· 2021 12 games, 10 starts, 2-8 record, 59% completion, 1870 yards, 7 TD, 10 INT, quarterback rating 73
· 2022 15 starts, 15 starts, 3-12 record, 60% completion, 2242 yards, 17 TD, 11 INT, quarterback rating 85 taking a NFL high 55 sacks
· 2023 13 games, 13 starts, 5-8 record, 61% completion, 2562 yards, 16 TD, 9 INT, quarterback rating 86
There were some games where he showed the promise you would want from a young starter in 2023:
· Threw for 335 yards, four touchdowns in a 31-28 loss to Denver
· Threw for 282 yards, four touchdowns with 57 yards rushing in a 40-20 win over Washington the next week
· His first game back from injury completed 70% of his passes with a touchdown and rushed for 104 yards
· Completed 73% of his passes and rushed for 59 yards in a 12-10 win at Minnesota
· Threw for 268 yards with a touchdown and another rushing TD in a 37-17 win over Arthur Smith and Atlanta.
If the compensation is third round picks, while the Steelers have picked Alex Highsmith recently in the third round, the last three third round picks
· TE Darnell Washington-solid blocker, did not contribute as a receiver
· DL DeMarvin Leal-didn’t dress for the games at the end of the season despite being healthy
Sure it might be just another sports radio conversation, but considering the best rookie quarterbacks will be gone by the time the Steelers draft and a late-round quarterback likely would need time to develop and most never do (Tom Brady, Brock Purdy as exceptions). Would getting Fields, if the compensation is a third-round pick, a bad idea?