Steelers’ Justin Fields reveals NFL teams that showed interest before trade

It seems the Bears had an array of suitors for Justin Fields’ services.

Speaking with teammate Cameron Heyward on Thursday’s episode of the “Not Just Football” podcast, the Steelers quarterback revealed the Chargers, Ravens and Raiders expressed interest in trading for him before the 2024 season after spending the first three years of his career with the Bears.

“I’m not sure of all the teams, but there were a lot of teams that already had solidified quarterbacks, and I didn’t want to do that,” said Fields, the 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. “Chargers were one. Ravens were another. Raiders, they talked a little bit … who else was in there, I don’t know.”

Justin Herbert is under contract with the Chargers through 2029 while Lamar Jackson is locked in with the Ravens through 2027.

The Raiders agreed to a two-year deal with Gardner Minshew in March.

Days later, the Bears traded Fields to the Steelers.

According to ESPN, the Bears had received better offers for Fields than what the Steelers were proposing—a 2025 sixth-round draft pick that could become a fourth-rounder—but sent the 25-year-old quarterback to the Steel City because that’s where he wanted to go and could compete for the starting job.

Around that same time, the Steelers had secured veteran quarterback Russell Wilson with a one-year deal.

Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph had all taken snaps under center for the Steelers during their 2023 campaign, though none remained by the time training camp began in 2024.

After losing to the Bills in the wild-card round, Pickett was sent to the Eagles, Trubisky was released and Rudolph signed with the Titans. 

Fields competed against Wilson in training camp, and although the former Seahawks and Broncos quarterback was named the starter, a lingering calf issue has kept him sidelined, paving the way for Fields to start.

Fields has thrown two touchdowns against one interception in his three starts, with the Steelers — currently 3-0 — averaging 289 yards per game.

The Steelers will look to remain unbeaten against the Colts (1-2) on Sunday at 1 p.m.