Justin Fields Rumors: Raiders, Steelers, Vikings, Falcons Were on QB's Trade 'Radar'

The Pittsburgh Steelers were reportedly among the teams quarterback Justin Fields had interest in getting traded to before the Chicago Bears dealt him to Pittsburgh this offseason.

According to ESPN's Brooke Pryor, the Steelers, Minnesota Vikings, Las Vegas Raiders and Atlanta Falcons were on Fields' "radar" when it became clear that the Bears intended to trade him and use the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft on a quarterback—likely USC's Caleb Williams.

On March 16, the Bears agreed to trade Fields to the Steelers in exchange for a conditional 2025 sixth-round pick that can become a fourth-rounder if Fields plays 51 percent or more of the Steelers' offensive snaps in 2024.

Chicago originally selected Fields with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft in hopes that he could become the organization's first true franchise quarterback since arguably Hall of Famer Sid Luckman in the 1940s.

In parts of three seasons as the starter, Fields showed flashes of brilliance, including rushing for 1,143 yards and eight touchdowns in 2022.

Although he missed four games due to injury, Fields had his best passing season in 2023, completing 61.4 percent of his attempts for 2,562 yards, 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

The Bears didn't do much winning with Fields under center, though, as he went just 10-28 in his 38 starts for the team, including 5-8 last season.

Chicago could have used the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft to address other areas of need, but if they view Williams as a franchise guy who can take them to new heights, then it is tough to argue with their likely decision to take him and move on from Fields.

The Bears' trade return for Fields was surprisingly low, and it is likely because most teams addressed their quarterback situation by the time a trade came to fruition.

Of the teams that Fields reportedly had interest in, the Steelers had already signed veteran Russell Wilson, the Falcons signed Kirk Cousins, the Vikings signed Sam Darnold and the Raiders signed Gardner Minshew to compete with Aidan O'Connell.

The Raiders and Vikings remain candidates to add quarterbacks early in the draft, and that option apparently appealed more to them than taking a chance on the 25-year-old Fields.

In Pittsburgh, Fields will start off as the clear backup to Wilson, but it isn't outside the realm of possibility that he could replace him at some point if he struggles or gets injured.

Wilson, 35, is a nine-time Pro Bowler and one-time Super Bowl champion from his stint with the Seattle Seahawks, but he largely struggled the past two years with the Denver Broncos, going 11-19 as a starter.

After having the worst season of his career in 2022 by completing 60.5 percent of his passes for 3,524 yards, 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, he bounced back to some degree under head coach Sean Payton last season, completing 66.4 percent of his passes for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns and eight picks.

The Steelers reached the playoffs as a wild-card team last season despite poor quarterback play, so even average play from Wilson in 2024 would be a welcome sight.

However, if Wilson does not work out, Fields could have a chance to showcase his ability and re-sign with the Steelers to potentially be their long-term starter.

It was a low-risk, high-reward investment on Pittsburgh's part, and a situation in which Fields could perhaps rebuild some of his value.