Steelers' Justin Fields: Chance to compete for QB1 job?
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Coach Mike Tomlin said Monday that Fields "will be given an opportunity to show his capabilities" even though Russell Wilson "has pole position" to be Pittsburgh's starting quarterback in 2024, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
It's still not quite clear if the Steelers' two new quarterbacks will compete for the starting job this spring/summer, as Tomlin's comments also could be interpreted as a suggestion that Wilson will be the No. 1 but without any assurances of staying in the spot if he struggles in practice (and eventually games). Reports shortly after Fields was traded suggested he'd be coming in as a clear backup, though it's probably worth noting that the QB-related reporting out of Pittsburgh this offseason has been rather unreliable. In any case, the team did well to acquire Wilson on a one-year, $1.21 million contract, later adding Fields in exchange for a sixth-round pick (that can become a fourth-rounder if he plays more than half the snaps in 2024). Neither QB is signed beyond the upcoming season, and the Steelers are unlikely to pick up the fifth-year option on Fields' rookie contract before the May 2 deadline.
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Steelers' Justin Fields: Viewed as backup to Russell Wilson
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Fields, whom the Steelers acquired from the Bears on Saturday in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick, isn't expected to compete for Pittsburgh's starting quarterback job and is line to serve as a backup to Russell Wilson during the 2024 season, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Though Fields is due a larger salary in the final year of his rookie deal in 2024 than Wilson will earn on his one-year, $1.21 million contract, the Steelers are inclined to have Fields learn from Wilson rather than looking for the 25-year-old to directly challenge the nine-time Pro Bowler for the top spot on the depth chart. While Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette notes that the Steelers are expected to decline Fields' pricey $25.66 million player option for 2025 prior to the May 2 deadline to do so, such a move wouldn't necessarily preclude Pittsburgh from re-signing the signal-caller next offseason if they're satisfied with his work in practices or in any action he might see in place of Wilson during his first season in the organization. Given that the 2025 sixth-round pick the Steelers gave up to acquire Fields would turn into a fourth-round pick if he plays more than 51 percent of the team's snaps this season, Pittsburgh has some extra incentive to stay committed to Wilson, at least for the early part of the campaign. Fields' fantasy outlook could brighten in 2025 if the Steelers commit to him as a starter or if he lands a more favorable opportunity elsewhere in free agency next spring, but at least for the upcoming season, he doesn't look as though he'll be anything more than a luxury stash in most redraft leagues.
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Steelers' Justin Fields: Traded to Pittsburgh
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The Steelers acquired Fields from the Bears on Saturday in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round draft pick, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
According to Schefter, the 2025 pick can become a fourth-round pick if Fields reaches an unspecified playing-time threshold with the Steelers in 2024. The trade sets up an interesting quarterback situation for the Steelers, who signed Russell Wilson to a low-cost one-year deal in free agency after he was waived by the Broncos earlier in the week. The Bears, meanwhile, have cleared the deck to draft a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, which in all likelihood will be USC's Caleb Williams.
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Bears' Justin Fields: Trade could come before free agency
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General manager Ryan Poles said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine that if the Bears decide they will be selecting a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick in April's draft, the team would attempt to trade Fields before the start of free agency March 13, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Poles' comments could be read as a response to Fields' recently stated desire for clarity on his future in Chicago, and it sounds like a decision could be made more quickly than expected. The official start of free agency is just over two weeks away, while the legal tampering period will begin March 11. If, as expected, the Bears determine they will be selectin a QB like Caleb Williams in the 2024 NFL Draft, trade options for Fields could include the Steelers, Falcons, Patriots, Raiders and Broncos. In 13 games last season, the 2021 first-round pick compiled 2,562 passing yards with 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions, to go with 657 rushing yards and four scores.
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Bears' Justin Fields: Wants word on future soon
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Fields said Wednesday during his appearance on the "St. Brown Bros Podcast" that he prefers to stays in Chicago but wants to know if he's getting traded as soon as possible.
Fields downplayed his recent decision to unfollow the Bears' official account on Instagram, noting that he also unfollowed other accounts (including the NFL's) to avoid having football content on his timeline during the offseason. He had nothing but praise for Bears fans and the city of Chicago, but Fields also seemed well aware of the possibility of being replaced by the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Talking with teammate Equanimeous St. Brown and Lions wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown on their podcast, Fields mentioned a couple of the teams rumored to have interest in trading for him, saying that the Steelers have a great stadium atmosphere and the Falcons have impressive playmakers on offense. Atlanta is the early favorite in betting markets to acquire the Georgia native, with other possibilities including Pittsburgh, New England, Las Vegas and Denver. Despite Fields' desire for a quick resolution on his future, the Bears' decision on whether to keep him on the roster for 2024 or work toward a trade could drag on for weeks, or even months.
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Bears' Justin Fields: Ends season on low note
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Fields completed 11 of 16 passes for 148 yards while adding 27 yards on four rushing attempts in the Bears' 17-9 loss to the Packers on Sunday.
Aside from a hot streak in Weeks 4 and 5 when Fields threw eight touchdown passes, he failed to throw more than one scoring strike in any of his other 10 starts. In 13 games played, he passed for 2,562 yards with 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Fields also rushed 120 times for 657 yards and four scores. Chicago will need to make some decisions this offseason in regards to their quarterback. First, the franchise has the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, so they can choose to start over at the position or go with Fields. Also, the team will need to decide whether to pick up the quarterback's fifth-year option.
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Bears' Justin Fields: QBs to Start
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Fields has made things tough on the Bears front office since Chicago owns the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. He's played great down the stretch -- in Fantasy and reality -- and earned the right to be the Bears quarterback in 2024. He's scored at least 26.5 Fantasy points in three of his past four games, including two in a row, and he should have another standout performance in Week 18 against the Packers. Two of the past three quarterbacks against Green Bay have scored at least 26.2 Fantasy points, and Fields should follow suit. He's got top-five upside in Week 18.
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Bears' Justin Fields: Over 300 total yards in win
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Fields completed 20 of 32 passes for 268 yards for one touchdown and no interceptions and rushed 11 times for 45 yards and another score in the Bears' 37-17 win over the Falcons on Sunday.
Fields took three sacks but otherwise enjoyed a strong day day from a fantasy standpoint. The mobile signal-caller had several productive runs, and he posted his passing yardage total since Week 5. Fields also threw a touchdown pass for the fourth consecutive contest, connecting with DJ Moore for a seven-yard score in the first quarter. There's some uncertainty surrounding Fields' future in Chicago, but he'll look to put a strong final performance together this season in the Week 18 finale against the Packers at Lambeau Field.
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Bears' Justin Fields: Totals two TDs on Sunday
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Fields completed 15 of 27 passes for 170 yards, one touchdown and one interception and also rushed nine times for 97 yards and another TD during Sunday's 27-16 victory against the Cardinals.
Fields opened the scoring with a three-yard touchdown run in the middle of the first quarter and later connected with veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis for a one-yard TD pass in the second quarter to give the Bears a 21-0 lead. He's now recorded scores through both the air and ground three times in 11 appearances this season. On the other hand, Fields' pick occurred in the red zone in a 24-16 game in the fourth quarter, giving him turnovers in eight different games. Tight end Cole Kmet (4-107-0 on five targets Sunday) exited early due to a knee injury, and DJ Moore (3-18-0 on six targets) gutted through a right-ankle issue, so the health of two of the top skill-position players available to Chicago's offense may be compromised in the team's next game Sunday, Dec. 31 versus the Falcons.
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Bears' Justin Fields: QBs to Start
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Fields' stat line at Cleveland in Week 15 was bad with 19-of-40 completions for 166 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, and he only rushed for 30 yards. But he could have had a better day than just 11.6 Fantasy points. Both of his interceptions came on Hail Mary plays at the end of each half, and Darnell Mooney nearly caught the game-winning touchdown on the final throw. And Fields threw a beautiful pass down the field to a wide-open Robert Tonyan in the first quarter that would have been a 73-yard touchdown, but Tonyan had one of the worst drops of the season. This week, Fields should get back on track against the Cardinals, who allow the fifth-most Fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks at 22 per game. Two of the past three quarterbacks against Arizona have scored at least 31.4 Fantasy points.
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Bears' Justin Fields: Leads team to win
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Fields completed 19 of 33 passes for 223 yards and a touchdown and added 12 carries for 58 yards and a rushing touchdown in the Bears' 28-13 win over the Lions on Sunday.
Fields leaned on DJ Moore and Cole Kmet in the passing game while also leading Chicago in rushing. Surprisingly, Fields' rushing score was only his second of the season, though he has at least 46 yards on the ground in his last four games. As a passer, Fields has not surpassed 223 yards and one touchdown in any of his last four games. He'll have a tough matchup at the Browns to open the fantasy playoffs before getting a pair of home games against the Cardinals and Falcons.
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Bears' Justin Fields: Top DFS Play
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Two things the Lions have struggled with on defense this season are defending the pass and defending rushing QBs. Fields should be able to take advantage of both. He's only $7,900 on FanDuel which gives you some roster flexibility and he still has QB1 overall upside every single week.
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Bears' Justin Fields: Tops 100 rushing yards in return
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Fields (thumb) completed 16 of 23 passes for 169 yards and one touchdown while rushing 18 times for 104 yards in Sunday's 31-26 loss to the Lions.
Fields hit the ground running in his first action since suffering a dislocated thumb in Week 6, racking up 28 rushing yards and 38 passing yards on an opening drive that ended in a one-yard rushing touchdown by D'Onta Foreman, who later left the game due to an ankle injury. Chicago mustered only three additional points in the first half, but Fields heated up in the third quarter and put his team up 20-14 with a 39-yard touchdown pass to DJ Moore. Detroit ultimately scored the final 17 points, including two on a Fields fumble that went out of the end zone for a safety in the final seconds, but Fields' success on the ground in his return suggests he isn't playing through any physical limitations heading into a Week 12 trip to Minnesota.
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Bears' Justin Fields: Sleeper QBs
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I'm putting Fields in the sleeper section because I'm slightly concerned about his situation in Week 11 at Detroit. He missed the past four games with a thumb injury, and hopefully there's no rust from the layoff. While the Lions are No. 10 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks, I still view this as a tough defense to face on the road. That said, it's great to have Fields back, and prior to his injury in Week 6 against Minnesota he scored at least 35.9 Fantasy points in consecutive games. Consider Fields a low-end starter in all leagues and hopefully he's back to 100 percent for the rest of the season.
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Bears' Justin Fields: Opens week with full practice
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Fields (thumb) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.
A dislocated right thumb has kept Fields from playing in the Bears' last four games, but after putting in a full practice Wednesday for the first time since Week 6, he appears on track to end his streak of absences this Sunday in Detroit. According to Larry Mayer of the Bears' official site, head coach Matt Eberflus said earlier Wednesday that Fields is "progressing well" and the team plans to have him start against the Lions, though formal confirmation on the matter may not be made until after Chicago's final practice of the week Friday. Over his first six starts before exiting midway through a Week 6 loss to the Vikings with the injury, Fields completed 61.7 percent of his passes for 7.4 yards per attempt and 11 touchdowns against six interceptions while accounting for 237 yards and another score as a runner.
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Bears' Justin Fields: Won't start, could warm up
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Fields (thumb) is listed as doubtful for Thursday's game against Carolina, and it isn't yet clear if he'll go through a pregame warmup prior to the 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.
Head coach Matt Eberflus said Wednesday that Fields made it through a week of limited practices without any setbacks or swelling in his right thumb, but the quarterback still hasn't received medical clearance to play in a game, per Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times. Undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent is in line for another start Thursday, with Fields potentially returning Week 11 against the Lions or Week 12 against the Vikings.
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Bears' Justin Fields: Likely to remain out Thursday
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Fields (thumb) is listed as doubtful for Thursday's game against Carolina.
After turning in a limited practice last Friday before ultimately sitting out the Bears' Week 9 loss to the Saints, Fields continued practicing this week and remained listed as a limited participant each day. Though he's seemingly continuing to progress in his recovery from a dislocated thumb on his throwing hand, Fields doesn't look like he's quite ready to play and is expected to miss his fourth straight game Week 10. Rookie backup Tyson Bagent should thus be in store for another start Thursday, and he's not the worst fill-in option in deeper leagues, given that he's facing a poor defense and has proven to be both active as a runner and willing to take risks as a passer. The downside of the risk-taking is that Bagent has thrown six interceptions in four appearances, but he may have better luck against an injury-ravaged Carolina defense that won't have standout pass rusher Brian Burns (concussion) or starting cornerback CJ Henderson (concussion) on the field Thursday. As for Fields, he should have a better chance at making his return to the lineup Week 11, when the Bears will have a normal week of practices leading up to a Nov. 19 game in Detroit.
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Bears' Justin Fields: Limited again Tuesday
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Fields (thumb) remained limited on Tuesday's estimated practice report.
The Bears play the Panthers on Thursday night but have only conducted a pair of walkthroughs Monday and Tuesday to open the practice week. Fields remains day-to-day, and it's unclear if he'll return to face Carolina. If he doesn't make the start, it'll again be rookie Tyson Bagent under center.
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Bears' Justin Fields: Still limited, labeled day-to-day
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Head coach Matt Eberflus said that Fields (thumb) was limited during Monday's walk-through practice and is considered day-to-day, Adam Jahns of The Athletic reports.
Fields has missed the last three games due to a dislocated right thumb, but he appears to be closing in on a return to game action. While he hasn't been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Panthers, he won't benefit from a typical week of prep work as he aims to avoid a fourth consecutive missed game. The Bears will continue to evaluate him in the coming days, and if he's unavailable Thursday, it certainly seems possible that he could return Week 11 against the Lions on Sunday, Nov. 19.
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Bears' Justin Fields: Doubtful for Sunday
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Fields (thumb) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game at New Orleans.
On a positive note, Fields was able to practice in a limited capacity Friday. Still, considering his designation for Week 9 action, he's poised to miss a third consecutive contest due to a dislocated right thumb. Once Fields' lack of availability is confirmed approximately 90 minutes before Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, Tyson Bagent will serve as the Bears' starting quarterback yet again.
