The offseason is churning with a little over a month until the 2024 NFL Draft. While the draft will be the focus for the next few weeks, how the draft is viewed has been changed by free agency as some teams were able to fill holes in the lead up to the draft. First, we start with a young, highly drafted quarterback who is looking to get his career back on track against a longtime veteran.
Justin Fields is officially on to the next chapter of his NFL career, joining the Pittsburgh Steelers via trade. The Steelers have completely overhauled their quarterbacks room by signing veteran Russell Wilson and, for now, having Fields be the backup. It gives them the chance for some stability that can turn into a long-term answer if they’re able to develop Fields into a more consistent quarterback. However, Fields’ ability to compete with Wilson in the present shouldn’t be discounted.
The reason Fields should be taken seriously as a starting candidate this upcoming season is because Wilson isn’t the player he used to be. This isn’t the same Wilson who made dazzling plays with the Seahawks — this isn’t even the same Wilson the Broncos thought they were acquiring a couple years ago. This version of Wilson is not the same guy who looked like a potential Hall of Famer during the 2010s. If the Steelers are willing to make it a real competition, Fields might be able to push Wilson.
Of course, Fields doesn’t have a flawless skill set himself, or he wouldn’t be in the position he’s in now and would still be with the Bears. Fields has all the physical talent in the world and may legitimately be the best running quarterback in the league, but he hasn’t shown a consistent enough ability as a high-level passer to stay entrenched as a starter. Still, he’s not so far off from Wilson where he can’t be in the discussion for the Steelers’ top quarterback spot.
Justin Fields may yet win the Steelers’ starting quarterback job in 2024. (Photo by Erick W. Rasco/Sports…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/four-verts-justin-fields-can-be-steelers-starting-qb-next-year-and-vikings-are-about-to-take-a-big-risk-141933096.html
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Publish date : 2024-03-22 14:19:33
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