This offseason has been a busy one for the Pittsburgh Steelers when it comes to the quarterback position. The team has revamped their depth chart, moving on from all of the signal callers they had on the roster in 2023.
Kenny Pickett, their starter and 2023 first-round pick, was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Steelers received a 2024 third-round pick and two seventh-round picks in 2025 in exchange for Pickett and a 2024 fourth-round pick.
Early in the offseason, Mitchell Trubisky was released by Pittsburgh. Mason Rudolph, who helped salvage the 2023 campaign, was a free agent and opted to sign with the Tennessee Titans.
The Pickett and Rudolph decisions came after the Steelers signed Russell Wilson to a one-year deal worth the veteran’s minimum. Needing some more depth, Pittsburgh also acquired Justin Fields from the Chicago Bears in exchange for a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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That compensation for Fields could turn into a fourth-rounder depending on some playing time stipulations. With Wilson locked in as the team’s starting quarterback, Fields likely won’t hit those plateaus without an injury occurring.
Interestingly enough, despite the presence of Wilson, Pittsburgh is where Fields’ representation wanted him to land. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, at least four other teams inquired about trading for Fields, but his reps asked for their client to not be traded there.
The Atlanta Falcons, Las Vegas Raiders and Philadelphia Eagles are among the teams that had been linked to Fields at one point this offseason, along with the Steelers. Ultimately, it was Pittsburgh where he landed as part of their revamped quarterback depth chart.
While Fields won’t be the starter right away, this is a good landing spot for him. He will have a chance to learn and continue his development behind a potential Hall of Famer in Wilson. If he continues showing improvement, the long-term job could be his once Wilson’s time as the starter is over.
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