Steelers could turn a QB into draft capital without lifting a finger, but at what cost to the team?

The Pittsburgh Steelers are in dire need of improved quarterback performances in 2024; there’s no question about it. Since Ben Roethlisberger’s departure, the team has struggled through two challenging seasons, particularly finding it tough to surpass the 20-point mark.

In the offseason, Omar Khan made significant changes at the quarterback position. Kenny Pickett was traded, Mitch Trubisky was let go, and the team bid farewell to Mason Rudolph when he left in free agency.

Stepping into the spotlight are seasoned pro Russell Wilson and the controversial young talent Justin Fields.

While they may not be the saviors that can instantly elevate the team from mediocrity, the duo of new quarterbacks brings a sense of optimism for the upcoming 2024 season.

Although Fields and Wilson are fresh faces on the roster, there is already speculation, notably from Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport, about the possibility of one of the new quarterbacks being moved. Davenport recently floated the idea of a mock trade that would involve sending Justin Fields to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Grade the Trade: Steelers boost draft capital by trading Justin Fields to the Raiders

For the Raiders, this potential move could be somewhat logical. The current pairing of Aiden O’Connell and veteran Gardner Minshew doesn’t exactly instill much confidence. Nevertheless, any trade must benefit both sides.

The only favorable aspect of this hypothetical trade is that the Steelers would gain more draft assets than they initially had. Pittsburgh would send just a sixth-round pick to Las Vegas in return for their former first-round pick. This could increase their draft capital for 2025 by simply having Fields on their roster for part of the offseason.

However, this strategy would be an unusual choice for a team facing significant uncertainties at the quarterback position.

Despite reports suggesting Russell Wilson is the frontrunner to start for the Steelers at the beginning of the season, a lot can change before September. The team might find that Justin Fields displays more talent, or Wilson could sustain an injury that sidelines him.

There’s a possibility that Wilson doesn’t retain his starting role throughout the season, prompting coach Mike Tomlin to hand the reins to Fields, who is considerably younger.

The slim chance of Fields becoming the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers holds more value than what the team would receive with a third-round pick from the Raiders and a seemingly inconsequential sixth-round pick exchange in 2025.

If the new Raiders GM, Tom Telesco, were to suggest this trade to the Steelers, it’s highly likely that Omar Khan and Andy Weidl would immediately reject the offer.