They said it couldn’t be done. They said it wouldn’t be done. But the Steelers went ahead and did it anyway.

In the latest in one of the most uncharacteristic offseasons in franchise history, the Steelers have completely flipped their quarterback room.

Russell Wilson and Justin Fields were two of the biggest names connected to the Steelers even before the offseason began, but it was hard to believe that the Steelers would break the “Steeler Way” and go after either one of them, let alone both.

After signing the free agent Wilson to a one year deal at the vet minimum (thanks to Denver paying him nearly $40 million from his old contract), the Steelers have also traded for Fields from the Chicago Bears.

Pittsburgh is bringing in Fields for pennies on the dollar; the former 11th overall pick is going to the Steelers for just a sixth round pick in next year’s NFL draft.

That sixth rounder does have the ability to convert to a fourth rounder if Fields plays in 51% of the team’s offensive snaps in 2024. However, provided all goes according to plan, that pick will stay a sixth round pick.

Fields is not expected to be the starter for the Steelers, nor have a legitimate competition for the job. Per Brooke Pryor, the Steelers plan to have Fields learn and develop under Wilson.

It’s not a bad plan at all. Wilson, who came to the Steelers on a one year deal, brings two Super Bowl appearances, one Super Bowl ring, and nine Pro Bowl selections with him. It’s hard to find someone with a better résumé to learn under than Wilson.

It’s possible that Fields could get the keys to the Steelers’ starting quarterback gig in 2025, if Wilson departs as a free agent and Fields continues to make progress in his game.

To his credit, Fields did take strides in 2023. In his third season in the NFL, Fields threw 16 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Despite missing 4 games with injury, he recorded the highest passing yards total of his career, with 2,562. He also cut down his fumbling problem, losing the ball 10 times last season in contrast with 16 last year.

Fields was not set up to succeed in Chicago, as evident by his 10-28 record as a starter in his three years with the Bears. You’d be hard pressed to find anyone who believes he was given all the tools needed to succeed with his draft team, but he also struggled to excel at the quarterback position himself.

He has an aforementioned turnover problem, fumbling the ball 38 times over his career (only 13 of which were recovered by his team), and was picked off 30 times over that span as well.

However, as he has gained more experience in the league, it has become slightly less of an issue. His 10 fumbles last season were the fewest he has had in a season, as is the case for his 9 interceptions.

Fields is a very raw athletic talent. He wants to use his legs, he wants to run, he wants to make a play. Despite it not always being evident, he has some serious arm strength. His game definitely needs a lot of fine tuning, but now he gets that opportunity in Pittsburgh.

He does not have to fix these issues on the fly. Rather, Fields can progress under Wilson and with the Steelers’ coaching staff.

This is a phenomenal trade by general manager Omar Khan. If I was the Bears’ GM Ryan Poles, I would start blocking any phone numbers with a 412 area code.

The Steelers addressed their vacancy at the QB2 position, while also potentially paving the road for their future. And they did it for extremely cheap.

The market for Fields collapsed almost overnight. That’s not a slight to Fields, rather it’s a result of almost every NFL team getting the guy they wanted, or pretty openly declaring their intentions to draft a quarterback next month.

Teams like the Atlanta Falcons, who would have been a good fit for Fields, opted to go the free agency route and snag Kirk Cousins instead.

Several other spots closed up in a hurry. Even the Steelers seemed to be out of the race after signing Wilson to a deal. With the first overall pick and the high likelihood that the Bears will take a quarterback, Poles had to find something to do with Fields.

He previously has stated a will to “do right by the player” and while that is honorable, it doesn’t come with a luxurious return.

It’s astounding to see the transition from 2023 to 2024 in the Steelers’ quarterback room. Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, and Mitch Trubisky are all gone. And in their place come Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, and likely a day three draft pick.

What a crazy Steelers offseason.

(Featured photo of Justin Fields by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)