PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers believe they have options for the future in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, and as of now, the team is excited about what both players can bring to their roster for 2024 and beyond. But not everyone feels as highly on the two QBs.
During a recent episode of FS1’s Speak, former NFL linebacker and current analyst Emmanuel Acho described Fields as a “game loser quarterback.” The 25-year-old is 10-28 in the NFL, but is viewed as a younger passer with potential – given the right situation.
“Though Russ didn’t carry his Super Bowl teams, and Justin Fields obviously didn’t carry his Bears teams, Russ has never had to be carried by a team,” Acho said. “Justin Fields, he’s been dead weight, Russ has never in Seattle been dead weight. Remember those Seahawks teams were 7-9 before he got there. He got there and they instantly won 11, then instantly won 13 and went to the Super Bowl.
“There are three categories: Game changers, game managers, and game losers. Russell Wilson might not be a game changer, but he’s never been a game loser. Put him in the game manager category. Someone could very convincingly make a case for Justin Fields to be in the game loser category.”
The Steelers are going to give Wilson “pole position” to start the offseason, but Fields will be given an opportunity to compete as the starter. Pittsburgh could view Fields as a long-term quarterback for the franchise, and have pieces in place like their growing offensive line, Najee Harris and George Pickens to help him succeed. This is on top of a stable coaching staff after going through two head coaches and three offensive coordinators in Chicago.
Still, Acho doesn’t believe it could happen. At this point, only time will tell.
CHICAGO — The Bears have traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team confirmed in a statement Saturday.
The Steelers sent a 2025 sixth-round pick to the Bears that converts to a fourth-round selection if Fields plays 51% of snaps this season, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Fields, who completed his third season with Chicago in 2023, will join a quarterback room with Russell Wilson, who signed a one-year deal with the Steelers on Friday.
Fields is not expected to compete with Wilson for the starting job, a team source told ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. Instead, Fields is expected to learn from the Super Bowl winner and nine-time Pro Bowler.
In a social media post Saturday, Fields thanked the Bears organization and the city of Chicago “for allowing me the opportunity to be part of such a historic franchise.”
Two weeks ago at the NFL combine, Bears general manager Ryan Poles addressed the idea of a Fields trade publicly for the first time. Poles said he aimed to not leave the quarterback in limbo and hoped to “do right” by Fields as Chicago determined its quarterback plan for the future.
He reiterated that stance in a statement Saturday confirming the trade.
“We have engaged in multiple trade conversations in recent weeks and believe trading Justin at this time to Pittsburgh is what is best for both Justin and the Bears,” Poles said. “Today we spoke to Justin to inform him of the trade and the rationale behind it for us as a club.
“We want to thank him for his tireless dedication, leadership and all he poured into our franchise and community the last three years and wish him the best towards a long and successful NFL career.”
Chicago owns the No. 1 pick in the draft and is the first team of the common draft era to have the draft’s top selection one season after trading it. In March 2023, the Bears sent the No. 1 pick to Carolina in exchange for four draft picks — including the Panthers’ 2024 first-rounder — and wide receiver DJ Moore. Carolina’s 2-15 finish in 2023 locked Chicago into the No. 1 spot in the draft order.
With Fields off the roster, the Bears are expected to take a quarterback in April’s first round.
The Bears finished with a 7-10 record in 2023, which netted them the No. 9 pick. Fields missed four games during the season after dislocating his right thumb. He threw for a career-best 2,562 yards, 16 touchdowns and 9 interceptions and showed improvement in protecting the football by throwing fewer picks and taking fewer sacks than he did in 2022.
Fields’ career with the Bears ends after 38 starts, where he completed 60.3% of his passes for 6,674 yards, 40 touchdowns and 30 interceptions.
As the Bears move forward in search of their next quarterback, the process for evaluating draft-eligible signal-callers is the same as last year, according to Bears coach Matt Eberflus, despite the depth and talent of the 2024 quarterback class and Chicago’s new offensive staff.
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