By Ray Porter Jr.
When the Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 season ended, their QB Depth Chart went like this:
- Kenny Pickett
- Mitch Trubisky
- Mason Rudolph
But to quote Author S.E Hinton: “That was then, this is now.”
In almost 2 weeks, their QB Depth Chart changed: Trubisky signed with the Buffalo Bills, Rudolph with the Tennessee Titans and in a surprising move, the Steelers traded 2022 1st Round pick Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles.
In their place, the Steelers signed veteran QB Russell Wilson and on Saturday, they announced that they have acquired QB Justin Fields from the Chicago Bears in exchange for a sixth-round pick that converts to a fourth-round pick depending on play time.
Fields 25, was the Bears first round pick (11th overall) in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. During his time with the Bears, Fields had 38 starts, and completed 60.3% of his passes for 6,674 yards, 40 touchdowns and 30 interceptions. This past season, he passed for 2,562 yards, 16 touchdowns and 9 interceptions despite missing 4 games with a dislocated thumb. He’s also known for his scrambling ability as he rushed for 657 yards. He had 1,143 rushing yards in 2022, becoming only the 3rd QB to rush for 1,000 yards (Michael Vick, Lamar Jackson)
Fields is expected to backup Wilson in 2024.
Having the #1 Overall pick (From a trade with Carolina) made it easy for the Bears to trade Fields as they’re expected to draft USC’s Caleb Williams. They also have the #9th overall pick.
“Can’t say thank you enough to the city of Chicago for taking me in and embracing me. Thank you to the entire Bears organization and ownership for allowing me the opportunity to be part of such a historic franchise. But most of all thank you to my all my brothers that I played with. You all were the reason I attacked each day the way I did. I can’t thank you all enough for what y’all have meant to me over the last 3 years through the ups and downs. I wish each one of you nothing but success. Ready for this next chapter!” Said Fields on X (Formerly Twitter)
Please email Ray at [email protected]
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