Justin Fields traded to Pittsburgh: The Dynasty Fantasy Football Impact
The 2021 NFL Draft was supposed to give us five different starting quarterbacks in dynasty leagues. In what was believed to be one of the best quarterback drafts in recent history, Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, Justin Fields and Mac Jones were all taken within the top 15 picks. In the end, it looks like only one of those five will be with the team that drafted him next season and that’s Lawrence. Wilson (taken second overall) was a major bust for the Jets and will likely end up being released in the coming weeks as New York has failed to find anyone in the NFL willing to give them even a day three pick in exchange for him. Lance (third overall) quickly flamed out in San Francisco and was sent to Dallas last season. Jones (15th overall) was traded to Jacksonville this off-season to (ironically) back up Lawrence.
And then there’s Fields, who was taken with the 11th overall selection.
Unlike most of the others, Fields has looked like a franchise quarterback at times. Unfortunately for him, the Bears pulled off a trade for the ages last year when they dealt the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for a package that included the Panthers #1 pick this season and wide receiver DJ Moore. While Moore was as advertised, the prize of the trade ended up being the Panthers first round draft pick, which ended up being the top overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. After carefully considering their options, it’s clear the Bears believe the player they plan to take first overall will be better than what they had so they traded Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round draft choice that becomes a fourth-round pick if Fields plays 51% of Pittsburgh’s snaps in 2024 –Â a small price to pay for a player with this kind of potential, but also the best they could get for a player everyone knew had to be moved. The trade has sent some shockwaves throughout the league, so let’s take a look at the new values of some players impacted.
Justin Fields, QB PIT
Over his three years in Chicago, Fields has posted 6,674 passing yards and 2,220 rushing yards as a true dual threat quarterback, with 54 total touchdowns and 30 interceptions. He’s had some rough games here and there but also shown some true flashes of brilliance. One also has to consider the situation he was in. It’s not as if Fields was given an elite defense and asked to play conservative football. Instead, he was forced to take chances early and often. The consistency has to improve with Fields but he’s been far from a bust. Unfortunately for him, he’s the victim of circumstance and has been made expendable due to the good fortune of the Bears.
The Pittsburgh landing spot is an interesting one for sure. The Steelers just signed Russell Wilson and have been very vocal about him being their starter for the 2024 season. Pittsburgh also has the ability to pick up the fifth-year option on Fields’ contract but they are reportedly unwilling to do so at the moment. It seems as if they want to get an extended look at both quarterbacks this year, then choose a direction to head in after the season. It’s highly unlikely they both stick on the roster beyond this season and seems feasible to think Wilson runs the show this year, Pittsburgh takes the time to develop Fields, then they turn the keys over to the former Buckeye in the future.
If Fields stays in Pittsburgh long-term, you have to like his chances for breathing some much-needed life back into his ADP. Mike Tomlin has expressed a desire to sign another extension and the franchise is one of the most stable in the entire league. His ADP is going to suffer based on him now being a backup but he’s also one Wilson injury or ineffective stretch away from being a starter again and we’ve seen he has some elite-level traits. He looks like a solid buy low in dynasty leagues for managers who can be very patient with him.
Russell Wilson, QB PIT
Just when it seemed Wilson was clear of any kind of competition for the top spot (the Steelers traded Kenny Pickett after signing him), Pittsburgh’s front office made what amounts to be a low-risk, lottery-level winning type of move to get Fields. It’s apparent the Steelers are ready to make Wilson their starter and commit to him for the season but it’s also clear they’re going to be very careful in just anointing him the long-term answer. If Wilson can return to his old Seattle form, they’re set. If he looks like he did in Denver at times, Pittsburgh will likely look to sign Fields long-term. Regardless, the pressure is on for Wilson to prove he’s capable of being the player he once was. His value really doesn’t change with the move as he was already on the hot seat. The only real change here is the amount of patience the Steelers can afford him. With Fields in the fold, Wilson won’t have a long runway to return to form and it will have to happen quickly for him to avoid being replaced.
Caleb Williams, QB USC
Well, it seems all roads lead here for Williams, the presumptive #1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Barring a shocking development, Williams will be the new quarterback of the Chicago Bears and have only the likes of Tyson Bagent and Brett Rypien to deal with in the preseason. With an offense now featuring D’Andre Swift, DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Cole Kmet, he’s as set up as a rookie quarterback could be. There will be no pressure on him at the start with Fields out of town but it will mount should Williams struggle early and Fields re-emerge in the Steel City or elsewhere.
Keenan Allen and DJ Moore, WRs CHI
It’s hard to see this development as either hurting or helping the values of these two. Fields did an admirable job in maintaining value for Moore last season and likely could have done the same for Allen this year. The only question left to be answered is pretty simple – is Caleb Williams (or another rookie) going to be better than what they had? There are a lot of jobs on the line in Chicago and this will be a story to watch over the next couple of years.
Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
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