Steelers Wanted Justin Fields Since NFL Draft
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers are trying to figure out their quarterback situation, and in the midst of really every possible option being presented by the media, Justin Fields' name has come up quite a bit.
Is Fields really an option for the Steelers? Maybe, but Mason Rudolph and Kenny Pickett remain their most likely scenarios this offseason. However, if Rudolph heads to another roster in free agency, Pittsburgh could turn back to a name they've had their eye on for a while.
Speaking on the Rich Eisen Show, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac said he wouldn't be shocked if Fields ends up with the Steelers, even if he believes Rudolph is their first option. Tapping into his memory bank of past draft classes, he recalled when Fields was coming out of college in 2021, and how Pittsburgh wanted him over every other option they could've had.
"Nothing, of course, is going to surprise me. And I say that because when Justin Fields was coming out, and at the time, that if Justin Fields were on the board when the Steelers picked - which of course he wasn't, and probably wasn't going to be. ... I said, 'if he were on the board and the Steelers had the opportunity, they would take Justin Fields,' I was told this by a coach, 'over any other player,'" Dulac said. "... That's how much they really like Justin Fields."
This isn't the first time it's made headlines that the Steelers are fans of Fields. ESPN's Adam Schefter spoke about Mike Tomlin's admiration of him, and reports claim even more members of the front office had their sights on the Chicago passer.
Fields could be on the market this offseason, and with the Steelers needing a quarterback, he's been brought up as a possible trade candidate multiple times. So much so, that Pittsburgh is the running favorite to land the Bears quarterback this offseason.
However, Dulac doesn't know how that will work with the Steelers being all-in on Pickett for a third season.
"If all of a sudden, they brought in Justin Fields; I wouldn't be shocked. I'd be a little midly surprised, and I say that because they are committed to one more year with Kenny Pickett," Dulac said, adding that Pickett is 14-10 as a starter and has had moments of progress.
Fields is entering his fourth year in the NFL and would be a candidate for his fifth-year option. Pittsburgh could still value what they would've wanted in the 2021 NFL Draft over what they got in the 2022 NFL Draft, and what they hold to a higher standard could decide their starting quarterback in 2024.
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