Bears’ Potential Trade Partner for Justin Fields Bows Out of Race
The Chicago Bears could draw interest from a few quarterback-needy teams if they decide to put Justin Fields on the trading block this offseason, but the Pittsburgh Steelers appear to have other plans for their quarterback room.
The Steelers have emerged as one of the projected favorites to trade for Fields over the past month of the offseason. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported back in early February that head coach Mike Tomlin is a “big fan” of the Bears quarterback and added last week that the team is believed to be “in the conversation” to acquire him in 2024.
According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, though, while the Steelers have the second-best betting odds to trade for Fields, they are not “actively” working to trade for him. Instead, they will look to continue building around 2021 first-rounder Kenny Pickett.
“Additionally, Pittsburgh is not among the teams actively working to trade for Fields, league sources told The Athletic’s Dianna Russini,” The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo wrote about his colleague on March 4. “Pittsburgh is also not pursuing Kirk Cousins or Baker Mayfield in free agency, according to league sources.”
The Steelers had the potential to be an intriguing trade partner for the Bears and Fields. Pickett did not provide reliable quarterback play for them during his second season in 2023, and Fields would have given them a different type of playmaker under center who is more dynamic in terms of keeping plays alive and making moves with his legs.
Pittsburgh also could have made a compelling offer with the No. 52 overall pick in the second round as Chicago traded its second-rounder for Montez Sweat on October 31.
If the Steelers are truly out on Fields, though, the Bears’ options are getting slimmer.
Falcons Expected to Prioritize Kirk Cousins in Free Agency
The Steelers are not the only potential suitors for Fields looking in other directions for a solution at quarterback. According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the Atlanta Falcons — the most heavily-discussed trade destination for Fields — are planning to make Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins their top priority when free agency begins next week.
“I have been told by multiple sources this week that signing Cousins — not trading for Justin Fields — is the Falcons’ top QB solution, assuming Cousins makes it to free agency,” Graziano wrote on March 3 coming out of the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine.
