The Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback situation will be a hot topic for the entirety of the 2024 offseason. Kenny Pickett will be in a competition with someone at the quarterback position in training camp, it’s just unclear who. Mason Rudolph ended the 2023 season on a high note, but he is now a free agent, unless the Steelers sign him to an extension before the new league year begins in March. The Steelers have also been linked to both Kirk Cousins and Justin Fields.
Former Steelers LB Hates Idea Of Trading For Fields
It is all but confirmed that the Chicago Bears will be holding on to the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and use it to select Caleb Williams. This would mean Fields’ time in Chicago has come to an end, and they would likely look to trade him. Despite Fields having struggled at times throughout his first three seasons in the NFL, he is still believed to have a high ceiling. Many believe Fields just needs a change of scenery, and new coaching.
The trade value for Fields is unclear, but it is likely he would cost the Steelers a second round pick, although there have been some reports by Mel Kiper saying the Bears will be asking for a first round selection in exchange for the young quarterback. Regardless, the Steelers have too many needs to give up that high of a pick. Former Steelers linebacker, Arthur Moats spoke on his podcast, The Arthur Moats Experience With Deke, about why trading for Fields is a bad idea.
“In terms of giving up the draft capital for Justin Fields, I don’t want to do it just because the Arthur Smith hire and everything just seems like we are rallying behind Kenny. It’s like why would I rally behind Kenny with the move just to move on from Kenny and give up a ton of more assets on something that is still in a very similar space as Kenny right now?”
It is no secret that Pickett has struggled so far in his NFL career, at least in terms of producing at a high level. He has still led the Steelers to a winning record, but fans want to see more from their supposed franchise quarterback. The hiring of Arthur Smith as the team’s new offensive coordinator certainly caters towards Pickett and should help him produce more just based off of what Smith was able to accomplish in 2019 and 2020 with Ryan Tannehill. In 26 starts over those two seasons, Tannehill threw for over 6,500 yards, 55 touchdowns, and just 13 interceptions. Hopefully Pickett can put up similar numbers if given the opportunity.
Pickett and Fields are both in a similar situation at this point in their NFL careers. Both are first-round picks that have had some great moments, but ultimately have not lived up to their expectations. Both players have their respective fan bases split in allegiance to them, half of Chicago wants to get a huge haul by trading the first overall pick and keep Fields, while the other half wants him gone yesterday. It seems the majority of Pittsburgh has given up on Pickett, despite the organization obviously still believing in him.
Whatever team starts Fields in 2024 will certainly be taking a chance on him, and the Steelers will be doing the same with Pickett if they decide to make him their starter for 2024. Moats discussed this, and shared why it wouldn’t be worth it to give up valuable draft capital in exchange for Fields.
“I’m not as keen on wanting to pair Justin Fields with Arthur Smith and having to give up what I gotta give up for that, when I’m still going to be taking a chance on Justin Fields as much as I’m going to be taking a chance on Kenny Pickett in this dynamic.”
Moats explains that whether it’s Fields or Pickett, both are unproven quarterbacks in this league that will need to have a big year in order to keep their jobs. Giving up draft capital for a young quarterback who isn’t much of an upgrade from Pickett doesn’t make much sense to some, especially when you are introducing a new offense.
