Justin Fields is traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a conditional 2025 draft pick.
One of the biggest debates this off-season has been settled after much speculation surrounding the Chicago QB situation. The Pittsburgh Steelers have acquired quarterback Justin Fields from the Chicago Bears in exchange for a conditional 2025 pick, worth up to a 4th rounder based on playing time. With a frenzy of moves this week, including the addition of Russell Wilson and departure of all three of their starting 2023 QBs, Pittsburgh GM, Omar Khan, has quickly reconstructed the Steelers roster and positioned the team compete in 2024 and beyond. It is all but a guarantee that the Bears will draft USC QB, Caleb Williams, with the first overall pick in the NFL Draft.
Fields, who was drafted by the Bears in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, has shown flashes of brilliance in his tenure with the Bears. His dynamic playmaking ability, combined with a strong arm and agility as a Buckeye, initially drew much excitement in Chicago. However, he has more recently struggled with consistency leaving his future uncertain with the Bears. This was the perfect opportunity for the Steelers, who have been in search of a franchise quarterback since the retirement of long-time signal-caller Ben Roethlisberger following the 2021 season.
This trade marks a significant shift in the Steelers’ offensive strategy and signals a new era for the team. Last season, Pittsburgh struggled to move the ball, largely credited to OC Matt Canada, who was fired mid-season. The QB room has completely changed within weeks. Out with the one-dimensional Kenny Pickett (Eagles), Mason Rudolph (Titans) and Mitch Trubisky (Bills), and in with the new duo of Russ and Fields. Wilson will be presumed starter and mentor for Fields at first, but we can’t help but think that Fields has the potential to eventually flourish and lead a successful offense under Mike Tomlin.
The biggest winners here will be George Pickens, Pat Freiermuth, and the rest of Pittsburgh’s pass catchers. Both Wilson and Fields love to air it out, which should lift the numerous downfield threats. There could be questions with the running game, which performed well in 2023, but both of their new scrambling QBs may affect rush opportunities. This uncertainty could affect the dynasty values of both Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, making both worth rostering at a possible discount. All eyes will be on the Steel City to see how this bold move unfolds in the upcoming season.
The Chicago Bears traded quarterback Justin Fields to the ...
The Pittsburgh Steelers are not interested in signing ...
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the likely teams left in ...
Gardner Minshew is taking his mustache to the Las Vegas Strip.
It happened within the course of a few minutes. The Las Vegas Raiders beat writers began reporting that the Raiders were in talks to trade for Chicago Bears QB Justin Fields. Among the Twitter chatter, the news dropped that the Raiders had signed Gardner Minshew.
Minshew signs a two-year deal for a reported $24 million. He will compete with Aidan O’Connell. For what position on the depth chart they will compete is unclear. Trading for Fields still remains a possibility. O’Connell appeared in 11 games for the Raiders in 2023 after being drafted in the 4th round. He took over as the starter after the firing of Josh McDaniels and led the team to a winning record. Minshew also began 2023 in a backup role in 2023 and became the Colts’ QB1.
The Raiders trading for Justin Fields would reunite him with former Bears OC Luke Getsy in a move that some speculate wouldn’t be great. Fields has been a leading rusher at the position, but struggles in the passing game. The Raiders could also make a trade up from the 13th pick to take a QB in the draft. Jayden Daniels and JJ McCarthy seem to be the most likely. With a QB room of Fields or a draft pick and Minshew/O’Connell, the Raiders would be in a position of a lot of flexibility should the starter get hurt or a draft pick need time.
The Chicago Bears have found their new OC in Shane Waldron.
Shane Waldron, former Seattle OC, is closing in on a deal to become the new OC in Chicago. Waldron spent the last three seasons in Seattle, making Geno Smith into a relevant QB in 2022. In 2023, Seattle’s offense finished in the middle of the league for points and passing yards per game, back-half of the league in yards per game, and in the bottom 5 in rushing yards per game.
Although there was rumor of USC’s Kliff Kingsbury getting the potential job, it now looks like it’s now Shane Waldron’s job. Waldron has worked with QBs like Jared Goff, Kirk Cousins, Russel Wilson, Geno Smith, and now perhaps Caleb Williams.
In 2023, Seattle drafted the first WR off the board with Jaxon Smith-Njigba at pick 20. Fantasy Managers should keep an eye on if Waldron will ask the Bears to get the first WR off the board again in 2024, or if they will draft their “Franchise QB.”
Justin Fields expected to start Week 10 vs The Lions
Chicago Bears QB Justin Fields, who had been sidelined for over a month with a dislocated thumb, is making significant progress, as noted by head coach Matt Eberflus. There are encouraging signs that he will start this Sunday against the Detroit Lions. The key factor in his return was his grip strength, and Fields was on the verge of reaching the necessary level before the Thursday night game. These updates are sourced from ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The Bears are set to face the Lions in Detroit this Sunday at 1 pm EST. This marks Fields’ first game back since Week 6 against Minnesota. During Weeks 4 and 5, Fields performed impressively, ranking as QB3 and QB1 for Fantasy, respectively. Notably, this week will see him supported by his strongest offensive line of the year. His arsenal includes WR DJ Moore, TE Cole Kmet, RBs D’Onta Foreman, and rookie Roschon Johnson, with the potential return of Khalil Herbert from IR.
The return of Justin Fields, the former first-round pick of the Bears, holds significance not just for Fantasy teams but also for the future of the Chicago franchise. Currently holding the 1st and 5th overall picks in the NFL Draft (subject to change), these selections are pivotal building blocks for the team’s potential ascent from the NFC cellar. Fields has the opportunity to prove himself as the QB1 or demonstrate value to another team in the coming weeks. Excitement surrounds Fields’ return to the gridiron, anticipating its impact not only in Fantasy but also on the potential future of the NFL landscape.
– Tyler Kicklighter, PPNewsDesk NFC North
Justin Fields dislocated his thumb and will likely be out for a significant period of time.
Tyson Bagent will take over at quarterback in week seven with Justin Fields out due to a dislocated thumb. Although he hasn’t been ruled out of week eight yet, he is expected to miss multiple weeks. Chicago has been considering placing him on injured reserve as well, making it possible he could be out a month or longer. However, per Ian Rapoport, the expectation is two to three weeks for the young signal caller.
Bagent, an undrafted free agent in the 2022 NFL Draft, will make his first career start. While he impressed in the preseason, Bagent is a lackluster option to lead an offense that has struggled for the most part this season. There won’t be very many scoring opportunities or touches available, particularly for the pass catchers. Fantasy managers need to downgrade the entire Chicago offense until Fields’ return as a result.
