NFL analyst says Steelers OC Arthur Smith 'Wanted no part' of Justin Fields during time in Atlanta
Among all the whispers, rumors, and hearsay about who the Pittsburgh Steelers may sign, draft, or trade for at QB is one missing piece. That would be newly signed OC Arthur Smith, who has a majority stake in the offense and the personnel within it. Well, per Steve Wyche of NFL Media, that just about […]
Among all the whispers, rumors, and hearsay about who the Pittsburgh Steelers may sign, draft, or trade for at QB is one missing piece.
That would be newly signed OC Arthur Smith, who has a majority stake in the offense and the personnel within it.
Well, per Steve Wyche of NFL Media, that just about rules out one of the hottest "candidates" to be the Steelers starting QB in 2024:
Smith Not Fond of Fields
“This conversation about the Steelers continues to intrigue me, because Arthur Smith, when he was the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, he wanted no parts of Justin Fields,” Wyche said on NFL Network. “He had the possibility to draft him. They took Kyle Pitts. … Why now, all of sudden, would the head coach who designed the offense taking a liking to Justin Fields? That’s why this conversation on the Steelers, and Arthur Smith and how he’d be a perfect fit … Why? Arthur Smith didn’t want him once. Why would he want him right now I maybe be completely off base, but I don’t see that.”
Wyche brings up an excellent point, and one that I have emphasized over the early portion of the offseason. Not only did Smith not like Fields, but despite reports that Pittsburgh and Mike Tomlin "loved" him coming out of OSU, if that was true, then why not trade up for him?
Fields fell out of the top 10, meaning he was well within striking range of the Steelers, who sat back and made the right decision by drafting Najee Harris at 24th overall.
So while it makes for a good conversation, the Steelers are most likely to hold firm in their process, leaving Fields to Pittsburgh as little more than a pipe dream.
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