The speculation surrounding the future of quarterback Justin Fields continues to grow, with the Pittsburgh Steelers emerging as a potential landing spot. ESPN's Adam Schefter confirmed on the Pat McAfee Show that Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is a big fan of Fields, a sentiment that has been evident since Fields' Pro Day. Pro Football Focus' Brad Spielberger also chimed in, suggesting a Fields trade to the Steelers as one of the offseason moves that could shake things up.

Spielberger further noted that some members of the Steelers' front office are also fans of Fields, which adds weight to the possibility of a trade. Mark Sadowski, the Director of Player Scouting for the Steelers, could be one of those individuals, as he previously held the position of Director of College Scouting for the Bears when Fields was drafted.

However, while Fields' pedigree and potential make him an enticing prospect, his performance in the NFL thus far has been underwhelming. With a record of 11-29 as a starter for the Chicago Bears, it appears that the team is ready to move on and reset their quarterback position.

If the Steelers were to acquire Fields, Spielberger projected that it would require a trade package consisting of a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and a fifth-round pick in 2025. This would be a costly acquisition considering Fields has only one year remaining on his contract, with the option of a fifth-year extension.

Financially, the move would also be significant for the Steelers. Picking up Fields' fifth-year option would guarantee him a projected salary of over $21 million, in addition to the $3.2 million he is set to earn in the 2024 season. This would amount to more than $25 million in guaranteed money without even seeing Fields take a snap for the team.

Furthermore, if the Steelers were to acquire Fields, he would become the clear-cut starter over Kenny Pickett, contradicting statements made by Tomlin and team owner Art Rooney II about the quarterback position. While opinions can change, it appears unlikely that the Steelers would pursue Fields as their starting quarterback without any competition or backup plan.

The ongoing discussions regarding Fields and the Steelers highlight the potential fit from a stylistic standpoint. However, the financial implications and the lack of clear competition make it a challenging move to execute. As of now, despite the support from Tomlin and certain front office members, it seems improbable that Fields will be seen sporting the Black and Gold in the 2024 season.

The future of Justin Fields and where he will play next season will continue to be a topic of debate and speculation in the coming months.