Russell Wilson reacts to Justin Fields' trade to the Steelers: 'Let's get it'
The Steelers quarterbacks room rearranged itself in a major way this week. And by Saturday night, Russell Wilson welcomed Justin Fields to Steel City.
A week ago, neither was with the Steelers. And none of the quarterbacks Pittsburgh had on its roster last weekend are still with the team.
Wilson, who officially signed Friday, sent a message to Fields via social media Saturday night. It also was a message to Steelers fans everywhere.
“Let’s get it Justin Fields,” Wilson wrote. Then Wilson used these fire emojis to describe the quarterback room, as in it’s “bout to be” sizzling. Wilson included a photo of the two of them. Of course, there was no trace of the Black and Gold in the photo. Wilson was the quarterback of the Broncos, while Fields started for the Bears in the photo.
Steelers turned aggressive in free agency
The Steelers, which traditionally is conservative in its approach to March free agency, did an about face this week. First, they signed Wilson, a Super Bowl winning quarterback who saw his career go sideways during a two year stint in Denver. The Broncos still owe Wilson $38 million this year, so Pittsburgh got him for the very cheap $1.2 million, the NFL veteran minimum.
Hours after Wilson officially signed on Friday, the Steelers traded Kenny Pickett, the former first rounder who started the past two seasons, to the Eagles. Wilson also had contacted Pickett before he signed. But reports suggested that Pickett was upset that the Steelers said the two would compete for the starting job, but that Wilson would begin on the first team.
Then on Saturday evening, word broke that Pittsburgh had traded for Fields, the former first rounder for the Bears. Chicago owns the No. 1 pick of the NFL Draft. With Fields gone, the Bears can draft former Heisman winner Caleb Williams.
Team will keep Wilson at top of depth chart
ESPN reported that the Steelers will go with Wilson as the starter. The plan is for Fields to learn under Wilson and become the quarterback of the future for the team. Of course, both quarterbacks will be under the guidance of new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
While Pickett is now with the Eagles, Mason Rudolph, who ended the season as the starter, signed with the Titans. Mitch Trubisky, who also started games last year, now is the backup to Josh Allen in Buffalo.