In Pittsburgh, speculation about the Steelers potentially acquiring Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields during the offseason persists, but there are doubts regarding the likelihood of such a trade. NFL Network’s Steve Wyche cast doubt on this possibility, citing Steelers’ new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s previous reluctance towards Fields during his tenure with the Atlanta Falcons.
Wyche highlighted that Smith, during his time as head coach of the Falcons, opted against selecting Fields in the 2021 NFL Draft despite the opportunity. Instead, the Falcons drafted Kyle Pitts, and in the following year’s draft, they selected Desmond Ridder in the third round. This history suggests that Smith may not have a strong preference for Fields.
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Given Smith’s past decisions, Wyche questioned why there would suddenly be interest from the Steelers’ coaching staff in Fields. Despite the Steelers’ reported enthusiasm for Fields, particularly from the front office and head coach Mike Tomlin, Smith’s potential reservations about the quarterback could influence the team’s decision-making.
In essence, while the Steelers may be interested in Fields, Smith’s prior stance on him could lead Pittsburgh to prioritize harmony within the coaching staff and seek a quarterback aligned with the new offensive coordinator’s preferences.