The quarterback depth chart for the Pittsburgh Steelers is going to look different in 2024 than it did in 2023. Pittsburgh has already opted to move on from Mitchell Trubisky, releasing him on Monday. With Mason Rudolph also hitting free agency, both backups for the team in recent years could be on the move.
Kenny Pickett, the first-round pick in 2022, is almost certainly going to face competition this offseason for the starting job. He hasn’t quite lived up to expectations and the Steelers have to decide whether or not he can be their quarterback of the future.
Based on some betting odds that DraftKings has released, it certainly sounds as if Pittsburgh is leaning toward turning the page on Pickett. According to DraftKings, the Steelers have become the odds-on favorites to land Justin Fields from the Chicago Bears.
NFL News & Rumors: Justin Fields, Kenny Pickett, Chicago Bears, Pittsburgh Steelers Updates
Only a week ago, the odds of Fields ending up in Pittsburgh were +1600. Today, those odds have plummeted all the way to -125, which has an implied probability of a 55.6 percent chance of happening.
The Steelers are actually heavy favorites to be the team Fields plays with in 2024. As shared by JPAFootball on X, the next closest team is the Bears with odds of +200, which carries an implied probability of 33.3 percent.
Following the Bears are the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots at +600 and +650. After that, it is the Denver Broncos, Washington Commanders and Las Vegas Raiders all tied with odds of +1200.
Fields would certainly bring a new dynamic to the Steelers’ offense. While he still needs some development as a passer, he has shown how productive he can be in the NFL with his legs alone. He put together some dominant stretches with the Bears and could present the team with a much higher ceiling than Pickett.
NFL News & Rumors: Justin Fields, Kenny Pickett, Chicago Bears, Pittsburgh Steelers Updates
Fields is coming off the best passing season of his career despite playing in only 13 out of a possible 17 regular season games. He still averaged under 200 passing yards per game but showed some real progress as a passer with an improved supporting cast.
In Pittsburgh, Fields would have a strong group around him again. Wide receivers Dionte Johnson and George Pickens, tight end Pat Freiermuth and running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren are a strong group of skill position players. All that is missing is a quarterback to bring it all together.
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