Former Steelers Linebacker Arthur Moats not thrilled with idea of Trading for Justin Fields.
The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback position will be a hot topic heading into the 2024 offseason.
Kenny Pickett is expected to compete for the linebacker position in training camp, whose name remains unknown. Mason Rudolph finished the 2023 season on a high note, but will now be a free agent unless the Steelers sign him to an extension before the new league year begins in March. The Steelers have also been linked to Kirk Cousins and Justin Fields.
Former Steelers LB hates the idea of a field tradeAll of this confirmed that the Chicago Bears will keep the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and will use it to select Caleb Williams. That means Fields’ time in Chicago is over and they want to trade him. Fields has struggled at times during his first three seasons in the NFL, but is still considered to have a high ceiling.
Many believe Fields needs a change of scenery and new coaching. Fields’ trade value is unclear, but it could cost the Steelers a second-round pick.
According to reports from Mel Kiper, the Bears are asking for a first-round pick in exchange for a young quarterback. Either way, it would be too much for the Steelers to give up such a high pick. Former Steelers quarterback Arthur Moats talked about why a Fields trade is a bad idea on his podcast, “Arthur Moats’ Experience with Deke.” “As far as giving up draft capital for Justin Fields, I don’t want to do that just because Arthur Smith is a rental and everything seems to be behind Kenny.
I have to transfer Kenny and give up more assets. I’m still very much with Kenny in space. Are they similar?” It’s no secret that Pickett has struggled at a high level, at least in terms of production, during his NFL career.
He still led the Steelers to a winning record, but fans want to see more from their franchise quarterback.
The hiring of Arthur Smith as the team’s new offensive coordinator will certainly help Pickett and help him produce more based on Smith’s success with Ryan Tannehill in 2019 and 2020.
In 26 starts over two seasons, Tannehill threw for more than 6,500 yards, 55 touchdowns and just 13 interceptions. Hopefully Pickett can put up similar numbers if given the opportunity. Pickett and Fields are in similar situations at this point in their NFL careers. Both are first-round picks who had good moments but ultimately fell short of expectations. Both players have divided fan bases based on loyalty.
Half of Chicago wanted to trade the first overall pick and keep Fields for a big return, while the other half wanted yesterday gone. Most in Pittsburgh seem to have given up on Pickett, though the organization still believes in him. Whichever team starts Fields in 2024 will take a chance on him, and if they decide to do so, the Steelers will likely do the same with Pickett. Make him a starter in 2024.
Moats discussed it, and Fields wouldn’t have had to give up valuable capital in return.”I’m not too keen on giving up what I have to give up by pairing Justin Fields with Arthur Smith, and I still want Justin Fields to have a chance.”
“With this dynamic, we have an opportunity for Kenny Pickett.”Whether it’s Moats Fields or Pickett, it’s clear that both are unproven quarterbacks in this league and need a big year to keep their jobs.
Giving up draft capital for a young quarterback not much bigger than Pickett doesn’t make sense to some. This is especially true when introducing new attacks.