The Pittsburgh Steelers have found themselves in the midst of swirling trade rumors, with the name of the young quarterback Justin Fields from the Chicago Bears making rounds in NFL circles. As the Bears hold the number one pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, speculation is rife that they may be willing to part ways with Fields, prompting interest from teams like the Steelers.
Steelers’ Odds To Land Justin Fields Make A Massive Shift
The speculation around Fields joining the Steelers gained further momentum when popular sportsbook Draft Kings drastically adjusted the odds of Fields donning the black and gold jersey. What was once considered a long shot at +1600, swiftly turned into a favored scenario for the Steelers at -125. This significant shift was largely influenced by comments made by NFL insider Adam Schefter regarding Mike Tomlin’s admiration for Fields.
Addressing the Steelers’ prospects for the upcoming season, Colin Cowherd expressed skepticism about their ability to contend for a Super Bowl title in 2024. Despite acknowledging the talent on the Steelers’ roster, Cowherd criticized their offensive struggles and the instability surrounding the coaching staff.
“They can’t get offensive coordinator right. There’s a lot of drama with their offense, not a lot of points. So you can take a Tesla to a Ford dealer and maybe they can help briefly, but that’s not their specialty. The Steelers as an offense and the Bears as an offense, not what they do.”
Cowherd pointed out the disparity between the fervent faith of Steelers fans and the lack of confidence from oddsmakers, who currently rank the Steelers with the sixth lowest odds to win the Super Bowl. Despite boasting a roster replete with talent, Cowherd emphasized the absence of a crucial piece necessary for championship contention.
“I think they have a Super Bowl level roster missing one piece, but there’s no indication that they can elevate that one piece. Now, Kenny Pickett, I just think has limited talent, Justin Fields does not. But this is an organization where you kind of felt at the end, even Big Ben [Roethlisberger] they were underachieving despite his enormous talent. So to me, this is not the best form. There are places for Justin Fields I think could work.”
Cowherd opined that while Fields possesses the talent to potentially elevate the Steelers’ offense, he questioned whether Pittsburgh, known for its defensive prowess, could provide the nurturing environment for Fields’ development. Drawing parallels to Ben Roethlisberger’s final years with the team, Cowherd highlighted the challenges of integrating a new quarterback into a system not traditionally geared towards offensive innovation.
While the acquisition of Fields remains speculative, the potential trade may not come at an exorbitant cost for the Steelers. Despite being labeled as a project quarterback, Fields’ athleticism and potential upside could make him a worthwhile investment for a team in transition. It’s not without risk. However, the reward may be well worth it if the Steelers are confident they can develop Fields under Arthur Smith’s new offense.
With Smith at the helm of the Steelers’ offense, there is optimism that Fields could thrive in a system tailored to his strengths. The marriage between Fields’ dynamic skill set and Smith’s offensive philosophy could pave the way for a successful partnership, potentially revitalizing the Steelers’ offense and reigniting their championship aspirations.
Smith’s system when he was the offensive coordinator with the Tennessee Titans focused heavily on the play-action pass and rushing game. He made it clear that his plan is to play a physical run heavy style of football with the Steelers. Fields seems like a perfect candidate for that role.
While Cowherd remains skeptical about the Steelers’ Super Bowl chances in 2024, the potential addition of Fields presents an intriguing opportunity for the franchise to address its offensive deficiencies and chart a new course towards contention. As the offseason unfolds, all eyes will be on Pittsburgh to see if they can turn the tide and emerge as legitimate title contenders once again.
