Steelers Aren’t Done After Trading for Justin Fields

The first week of free agency is over, and no team has shook things up more than the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Steelers have entirely overhauled their quarterback room. After signing Russell Wilson, the Pittsburgh Steelers traded 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles for picks. Pickett was apparently dissatisfied with the promises given to Wilson.

The Steelers then traded for 2021 first-round quarterback Justin Fields from the Bears, announcing publicly that Wilson will be the starter.

Pittsburgh now has a veteran on a one-year deal and a young player on the final year of his rookie contract. According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Steelers plan to work out a long-term contract when the season ends.

For now, Wilson’s veteran minimum contract allows Pittsburgh to be more proactive in free agency. The Steelers are allegedly one of three teams that will welcome free agency wide receiver Mike Williams, who was released by the Chargers last week. The other two are the Jets and Panthers.

The Browns have also made some unusual quarterback decisions this summer, passing on returning reigning Comeback Player of the Year Joe Flacco as a backup to Deshaun Watson.

Flacco helped the Browns reach the playoffs and led the NFL’s best passing attack after taking over as starter. He made it plain that he intended to return to Cleveland this offseason.

However, the Browns instead signed Jameis Winston to a contract with a maximum value of $8.7 million, which was identical to the one Flacco ultimately signed with the Colts.

“Is Winston an upgrade or downgrade over Flacco?” ESPN’s Jake Trotter wrote. “In his five regular-season starts with the Browns, Flacco led the league in passing yards per game (323). Winston has made just ten starts since 2019, when he threw 33 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in his final year in Tampa Bay. Watson struggled to maintain his health last year. If he gets hurt again, Cleveland’s season could depend on Winston’s ability to repeat Flacco’s performance last season.”

Winston is nine years younger than Flacco, and Winston’s stats from his last start compared to Flacco’s performance with the Browns in 2023 appear to benefit him.