Earlier than the Philadelphia Eagles acquired quarterback Kenny Pickett from the Pittsburgh Steelers, it seems they checked in on one other signal-caller that has been made obtainable main as much as the 2024 NFL draft.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported Friday on SportsCenter that the Eagles had discussions with the Chicago Bears a few deal for Justin Fields previous to touchdown Pickett.
“The Eagles, from what I perceive speaking to sources across the league, have been one of many groups that had talked to the Bears about Justin Fields, however clearly couldn’t get to the purpose the place they agreed on a value, so that they traded for Pickett,” Graziano mentioned
The Eagles would have been an intriguing vacation spot for Fields, who would have been given the chance to study from two-time Professional Bowler Jalen Hurts as his backup.
Whereas Hurts is the higher quarterback, the 2 play an analogous model, which implies Fields may have seamlessly, for lack of a greater phrase, stepped into Philadelphia’s offense if Hurts have been to endure an damage.
The Eagles acquired Pickett and a 2024 fourth-round decide (No. 120) from the Steelers on Friday in alternate for a 2024 third-round decide (No. 98) and two 2025 seventh-round picks.
Pittsburgh determined to commerce Pickett as a result of he “was poorly dealing with” the arrival of veteran quarterback Russell Wilson, who signed a one-year cope with the Steelers earlier this week after being launched by the Denver Broncos, in response to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Put up-Gazette.
Fields’ future in Chicago has been arguably the most well liked subject of the offseason because the Bears personal the No. 1 general decide on this spring’s draft and are anticipated to pick USC quarterback and 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams.
However whereas the Bears have been trying to find a commerce companion for Fields, a number of quarterback-needy groups have already addressed their want on the place. For instance, the Steelers signed Wilson and the Atlanta Falcons signed Kirk Cousins.
At this level, the marketplace for Fields is “extraordinarily lukewarm,” Graziano mentioned, so it is unclear when he may be moved.
With Philadelphia off the board as a vacation spot, maybe the Steelers, who now want a backup for Wilson, will test in on Fields. The Minnesota Vikings, which lately signed Sam Darnold, may additionally maybe be a vacation spot.