Justin Fields traded to Steelers, Bears playoff odds with Caleb Williams | NFL | FIRST THINGS FIRST
Summary
TLDRIn this transcript, the discussion revolves around the future of the Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback situation, particularly focusing on the roles of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. The conversation delves into the likelihood of Wilson retaining his starting position, the potential for Fields to take over, and the implications for the team's performance. The speakers also touch on the Chicago Bears' decision-making regarding Fields and the team's prospects for the upcoming season, including their potential to make the playoffs with improved roster changes.
Takeaways
- ๐ The discussion revolves around the future of the Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback position, particularly focusing on Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.
- ๐ค There is skepticism about whether there will be a quarterback competition in Pittsburgh, given that both Wilson and Fields are new to the team.
- ๐ Russell Wilson is expected to start the season as the Steelers' quarterback, but there are doubts about his long-term future with the team.
- ๐ฅ Justin Fields is seen as a potential future starter for the Steelers, with the expectation that he will eventually take over from Wilson.
- ๐ Fields' development is a priority, and it's believed that learning from a veteran like Wilson could be beneficial for his growth.
- ๐ฏ The conversation touches on the importance of the Bears' decision to trade Fields, highlighting that Chicago may have prioritized his development over immediate draft value.
- ๐ค There's agreement that the Steelers' offense has been in flux since Ben Roethlisberger's retirement, with several different plans and quarterback changes.
- ๐ The Steelers' management is praised for potentially prioritizing player welfare by not trading Fields to a team with an established starter, allowing him to develop further.
- ๐ The script also discusses the potential for the Chicago Bears to improve in the upcoming season, with new additions to the roster and a possible playoff spot.
- ๐ The NFL's transition periods after long-time franchise quarterbacks leave their teams are highlighted, with varying degrees of success across different teams.
- ๐ The show ends with a debate on the potential playoff teams for the upcoming season, with the Bears mentioned as a possible dark horse contender.
Q & A
What is the main topic of discussion in the transcript?
-The main topic of discussion in the transcript revolves around the future of the Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback position, particularly focusing on the roles of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.
What is the speaker's opinion on whether there will be a quarterback competition in Pittsburgh?
-The speaker believes that there won't be a quarterback competition in Pittsburgh, and that Russell Wilson will likely be the week one starter, despite his personal preference for Fields.
How does the speaker view the media's portrayal of quarterback competitions?
-The speaker thinks that the media slightly overstates the importance of quarterback competitions due to the limited time available for new players to get up to speed with the starters during the offseason.
What is the speaker's prediction for Russell Wilson's future with the Steelers?
-The speaker is pessimistic about Wilson's ability in the Steelers' offense and predicts that Wilson will not keep the starting job beyond the initial games of the season.
What skill does the speaker believe Justin Fields needs to improve to surpass Russell Wilson?
-The speaker believes that Fields needs to significantly outperform Wilson in terms of passing accuracy to surpass him as the starting quarterback.
What is the speaker's opinion on the Steelers' skill position talent?
-The speaker acknowledges that the Steelers do have skill position talent, mentioning the presence of good running backs and a tight end, despite some recent roster changes.
How does the speaker compare Russell Wilson's performance since leaving Seattle to Justin Fields' performance post-rookie season?
-The speaker points out that since Wilson left Seattle and Fields' rookie season, both have the same number of sacks, similar yards per game, and nearly identical touchdown to turnover ratios, with Fields being significantly younger.
What is the speaker's view on the likelihood of Fields and Wilson being with the Steelers in 2025?
-The speaker believes that it is far more likely that Fields will be with the Steelers in 2025 than Wilson, considering they are both on expiring contracts and Fields' potential for future development.
What was the reported reason for the Bears choosing to send Fields to Pittsburgh?
-The Bears reportedly chose to send Fields to Pittsburgh to put him in a position to continue his development as a backup to Wilson and eventually as a starter, despite having better offers with stronger draft capital.
What is the speaker's prediction for the Chicago Bears' performance in the upcoming season?
-The speaker predicts that the Bears will be a 10 or 11 win team and make the playoffs, citing improvements in their roster and the potential for better quarterbacking.
Which teams does the speaker believe will make the playoffs from the NFC North division?
-The speaker believes that the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers will definitely make the playoffs from the NFC North division.
Outlines
๐ Quarterback Controversy and Team Dynamics
This paragraph discusses the quarterback situation in the NFL, focusing on the roles of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. The speaker shares his opinion that while Wilson should start the season as the quarterback, Fields may take over later due to Wilson's performance and the team's lack of skill position talent. The conversation also touches on the importance of quarterback competitions and the potential impact on team dynamics, with a prediction that Fields could eventually become the Steelers' long-term starter.
๐ค Speculation on Future Team Lineups
The second paragraph revolves around the speculation of future team lineups, particularly focusing on the contracts and potential futures of Justin Fields and Russell Wilson within the Pittsburgh Steelers. The discussion includes the likelihood of Fields being with the Steelers in 2025, the decision on Fields' fifth-year option, and the comparison of the two quarterbacks' performances post-Fields' rookie season. The speaker also reflects on the challenges faced by teams after their long-time franchise quarterbacks retire or leave.
๐ค Analyzing the Chicago Bears' Decision
In this paragraph, the focus is on the Chicago Bears' decision-making process regarding Justin Fields. The speaker analyzes the reported offers the Bears received for Fields and their choice to send him to Pittsburgh. The conversation emphasizes the importance of player development and the potential impact on team morale and future success. The speaker also discusses the Bears' roster changes and their potential to be a playoff contender, highlighting the additions of Montes Sweat and DJ Moore to their roster.
๐ Predicting Playoff Contenders
The final paragraph delves into predictions for the upcoming NFL season, with a particular emphasis on the potential playoff contenders. The speaker shares his belief that the Chicago Bears are likely to make the playoffs, based on their improved roster and the potential of their new quarterback, Caleb Brew. The discussion also includes an analysis of other teams' chances, such as the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers, and the speaker's reasoning behind considering the Bears as a dark horse candidate for the playoffs.
Mindmap
Keywords
๐กMan of Steel
๐กquarterback competition
๐กskill position talent
๐กdepth chart
๐กsacked
๐กtouchdown to turnover ratio
๐กfifth-year option
๐กtransition
๐กmediocre
๐กlocker room
Highlights
Discussion on the newest Man of Steel, Nick Wright, and his upcoming season with an iron plate.
Justin Fields' move to Pittsburgh and the apparent lack of a quarterback competition.
Speculation on whether Russ should be the week one starter, with opinions suggesting he will be despite some reservations.
Analysis of the media's role in overstating quarterback competitions due to time constraints.
Debate on the readiness of quarterbacks in a new system and the challenges they face.
Opinion that Russell Wilson will start the season but may not keep the job due to performance concerns.
Discussion on the skill position talent of the Steelers, including notable players like Fri M at tight end.
Comparison of Russ's performance last year and the potential for improvement this year.
Debate on whether Russ is in a declining phase of his career.
Statistical comparison between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields since Fields's rookie season.
Discussion on the likelihood of Fields and Wilson being with the Steelers in 2025 and the implications of their contracts.
Opinion on the importance of Fields's development as a backup to Wilson and the potential for him to become a starter.
Analysis of the Steelers' offensive struggles since Big Ben's retirement and the various plans they've attempted.
Comparison of the Patriots' performance post-Brady and the Saints' plan post-Drew Brees.
Discussion on the Bears' decision to send Fields to Pittsburgh and the potential offers they turned down.
Debate on whether the Bears did the right thing by sending Fields to a team with an established starter.
Predictions on the Bears' performance in the upcoming season with improved talent and quarterbacking.
Discussion on the potential for the Bears to make the playoffs and the competition within their division.
Final thoughts on the Bears' prospects and the possibility of them being a dark horse in the playoff race.
Transcripts
that doesn't cut it what do you mean
live from New York it's a show that I
can't believe it has a cast on like a
child what what do you want for me
saying what do you want for me I'm going
to sign it after so am I Greg Jennings
wouldn't let us sign his you guys can
his you guys can definitely sign mine
his was cool why what it was the exact
this it's cool his he he was more in
capacitated I'm out here fighting buddy
okay it's first things first uh today we
start with the newest Man of Steel Nick
Wright who's going to have an iron plate
okay Justin Fields now in Pittsburgh but
it doesn't look like there's going to be
a quarterback
competition I guess so sure which
frankly seems strange Russ tweeting that
the quarterback room uh is about to be
fire that's good uh so we'll start with
you Nick should Russ be the week one
starter if it were up to me no but I'm
certain he will be and I think
quarterback comp competitions are
slightly overstated by the media because
of the lack of time because if you have
two new guys and you're going to need to
get at least one of them up to speed
they are going to need so much more time
in your off season with the ones you
know what I mean with the starters
getting the Reps so I think a
quarterback competition with an
incumbent and someone brought in to
compete with him is different than this
situation where both guys are totally
new and and if you give both guys you
know 45% of the first team reps with the
other third quarterback getting 10% of
them neither's going to be ready so I do
think it will be Russell Wilson week one
but as confident as I am that it's
Russell week one I believe it' be Justin
week 18 and the weeks leading up to it I
do not think Russell Wilson will keep
this job but I think he will start with
this job on a very short leash and
because I am much more pessimistic about
Russ's ability in any offense much less
the Steelers offense right now with
their lack of overall skill position
talent I I don't think he'll keep the
job but I think it will be his week one
well one I think they do have skill
position Talent you know you got Fri M
at tight end you got pickings I know
they got rid of Deontay Johnson but you
got pickings you got two good running
backs so I think they got pretty good
talent I I agree with you Russ will will
well what I say is he should enter
training camp as the number one on the
depths chart now if he gets beat out and
like you said it's hard to have a real
cuz they also don't go as hard as they
used to with tackling and things like
that so but if he were to he would have
to like really just completely outshine
Russ passing because we know running
he's goingon to be a better Runner but
if he were to come out with accuracy
which he's had trouble with accuracy I'm
talking about Fields but he would have
to look so much better in the air than
Russ And Russ would have to look
essentially washed for me to move him
ahead of of of Justin I mean I didn't
think Russ looked wash last year and so
I think if he's number one on the depth
chart if it's even or close maybe
Justin's a little better you start with
Russ because also Nick I think it's
easier to move from Russ to Justin than
Justin to Russ if Russ were to not start
and if it was a close competition he
doesn't start in the regular season I
think he's upset his mood could ruin the
he would say the right thing but it
could work against the locker room
whereas if he starts off I'm I agree
short leas plays three or four games and
looks bad through the first four games
then he's benched the Locker Room's not
like oh bro we got this guy who's w a
Super Bowl he's a veteran they they saw
oh he wasn't good so I think that would
be a smoother transition so I I look
we'll see what Russ does but I do think
he'll start and if he can hold it he can
hold it if not go to Justin so I go
ahead W no no you go the I just I do we
agree that Justin field should be at the
place in his career where he's still
improving yeah that the theoretically
should be all right do we agree that
Russ is in the pace place in his career
where he's clearly declining well I
think he he improved from two years ago
to last year sure and I think he could
now he's not going to get back to what
he was in Seattle at his best but he
could improve on last year so so and you
and I obviously feel differently about
where he was last year and how well or
poorly he played point I'm making is
this can we just show what these two
players have been post Justin's rookie
season so since Russ left Seattle and
you know since Justin wasn't a rookie
Russ yes has more wins and a slightly
higher completion percentage they have
both been sacked the same amount of
times their yards per game is the same
their touchdown to turnover ratio is
essentially the same and and Justin is
nearly a full decade younger yeah so for
those reasons I I think it is and I I
don't know where you stand on this one
Brew I think it is far more likely
because they're both going to be on
expiring contracts I know there was some
question like oh the Steelers will have
to make a decision on Justin Field's
fifth year option there is no chance
they're picking up that option because
they have to make that decision before
the year starts brw yeah they have to
make that decision this off season
they're not going to pick up a 20 plus
million do guaranteed thing for Justin
Fields there's no chance I'm not I'm not
saying definitely they will but I could
see them doing it because they're
looking at him as their guy of the
future and what's the what's the other
route like they're going to be at the
worst they're going to be mediocre right
so you're not going to get like a high
draft pick so the I guess the point I
was making I think it is I think it is
close to a 0% chance they pick up his
fifth year option but despite that I
think there is far greater likelihood
that Justin Fields is on the Pittsburgh
Steelers in 2025 than there is Russell
Wilson is on the Steelers in 2025 you
would hope so if you're a Steelers fan
and so right and so I I just think I
think Justin will ultimately be the
starting quarterback and will finish the
season as the starting quarterback and
how he plays in that stretch is what is
going to determine if they bring him
back next season you know what I mean to
be their long-term starter I think they
hope clearly that he plays well and he's
their starter for the next sever from
what they're saying they hope he does
not play they're making Russ is the
starter Russ star you could start R now
look if Russ has a great year they make
the playoffs make a nice run sure but if
Russ I think they want to see what
Justin's made of out in practice as well
because it's good for him to sit at the
feet of in a great organization a great
head coach and a Super Bowl champion
like this could be good for him to learn
I mean Jordan love I know he started uh
Justin and he would be going to the
bench but still it was good for Jord
Love and we saw great improvement from
him from early in his career to coming
in finally as a starter so why couldn't
you see that with Fields okay uh
Steelers offense since Big Ben retired I
tried to find like the inflection point
I'm like this is where they're at almost
bottom of the league in absolutely
everything they've had several different
plans here which including you sign
trabis you drafted picket you start
trabis you start picket okay uh pick it
get gets hurt you bring back trabis you
bring in Rudolph Rudolph's now gone he
loses the playoff game oh Russ is here
Russ calls Kenny picket on Friday we ran
the clip of Russ saying yeah talk to
Kenny picket we were like yep let's get
it let's be great later on that day when
the show would like Kenny pickets gone
and Justin Fields is in it just feels
like a lot of tumult in Pittsburgh and
as you talk about Justin Fields excuse
me if you talk about Jordan love the
fact that I feel like it's a little bit
of a packer story that they went from
Aaron Rogers to Jordan love seamlessly
well right after doing the same thing
far to Rogers but that's that's and this
is just so messy and we still don't know
what's going to happen when you don't
have a good quarterback and it's also
what life is like after your longtime
franchise quarterback steps away this is
why I felt like belich was getting
unfairly malign the last few years what
has the Patriots playing been post Brady
it would look a lot like that simam
get rid of this guy what has the Saints
plan looked like post Drew Brees a lot
of the same thing even a worse
quarterback than those guys obviously
what does the Falcons plan look like
post Matt Ryan a lot of weirdness you
you are if you are a good enough
organization to not bottom out when your
franchise quarterback goes away you're
kind of screwed that's a good you know
what I mean like you do what the Packers
did you draft some may up may upset your
starter correct and also be fortunate
that with the Rogers case that he's
available in the 20s with the Jordan
love case and with Jordan I love how
Jordan played at the end of last year
and in the playoff game as well I he is
still something of an unknown quantity
you know what I mean as far as because
he's got do it another year right how
people felt about him the first the
Colts were amazing with pton Manning
then he misses one year they're so bad
they get Andrew Luck if that team was
good enough to have gone eight and8 the
year pton was hurt they could you know
what I mean they could have entered this
same treadmill of Medi where you can't
replace the guy weird wouldn't you say
though that I mean they went from having
no legitimate starting quarterback now
it's an inter possibly two stting think
that's a good thing why not what do you
mean I think it's strange to have two
quarterbacks I I think it's like they
don't know if the the second one can
play Justin Fields they don't know if
either play they don't know if either if
if Russ let's say they had Russ last
year and doing exactly what he did 26
touch
eight picks top six they had the season
no they they seven they may have won
more than 10 games see so I don't I so
they had the worst quarterback play in
the league by a mile and still won and I
I understand that and the Broncos and
again I we disagree about Russ's play
last year my point is the Steelers last
year with Russell Wilson at quarterback
or the rotating cast of characters they
had their ceiling was going to be
getting bounced in round one and that's
what it was like if they had a great
quarterback be different but Ross or
picket Mason trabis any of those guys
their ceiling was going to be bouncing
around okay uh checking on the bear side
of things we reportedly turned down a
better offer for Fields Courtney Corin
writing on ESPN the Bears had an
additional offer with stronger draft
capital from a team with an established
starter per Source but chose to send
fields to Pittsburgh with the hopes of
putting the 25-year-old in a position to
continue his development first as a
backup to Wilson and eventually as a
starter your reaction bro well what was
better fifth round sixth round that's
not conditional where it could get
better like straight six round pick I
mean if it was that close then I think
they did the right thing because you
send a message to players or at least
you theoretically do that hey we care
about our players and their future CU
there's already the feeling that you did
not do right by Justin Fields because
didn't put players around him that could
help him win and he had two head coaches
two offensive coordinators so you may
not have given him a chance in some
people's eyes so now you do this hey
we're looking out for him if it
significantly was better which I doubt
but let's say somebody's offering a
third round pick you got to do you got
to do you got to do what's best for your
team regardless so I agree with that so
I might so this is the scenario I
painted to you before the show Wilds cuz
what they got was a sixth in a year you
know not this year's draft next year
draft that could be a four if he plays
more than half those games let's say
buffalo called cuz we know Buffalo
wanted a backup quarterback because they
signed Mitch trabis inexplicably to more
than the league minimum but set that
aside say buffalo called and said we'll
give you our fifth round pick this year
for Justin Fields I don't think it's bad
business for Chicago to say yeah we're
not do it the gap between the value on
those is not enough given the fact he is
clearly very popular in the locker room
and I understand it's business not
personal when people talk about the
Bears doing Justin Fields wrong they I
sometimes that stuff bothers me in this
specific case and I thought Danny when
he was on on Friday made a good point
when you look at the blowby blow of it
year one Justin you're not going to play
Andy Dalton is Andy Dalton gets dinged
he's all of a sudden starting week three
year two we want to be the worst team in
the league we're going to trade roquan
Smith we're going to tra we're going to
take all our dead cap right now which I
thought was the long-term smart thing
for the team brutal for the player right
and then year three all of a sudden it's
like okay we're kind of ready to be good
but we're also changing the offense on
the flight those things I understand why
they would be like you know what he
handled himself aside from one press
conference right his teammates like him
let's not send him somewhere where he
has no chance of being the starter
unless you know like to Bru point the
return is so good we have to put
business ahead of it
way there been rep like oh they had a
two or a offered to them if they did
they turned that down back when they
thought they were still going to be able
to get that not because they were they
didn't have that wasn't available now
exactly right that that offer was gone
when they took this one and not
presented like well they could have
taken a three this week and in said they
took this that I do not believe at all
meanwhile Caleb to the bear is basically
done you know I'm not a professional
investment broker and I don't give
investment advice but minus 4,000 would
mean you get two and a half% return on
your money in six weeks that's a great
that's a great that's better than any
stock you're going to get America if you
can put that because it is a 100% chance
he is drafted by the Chicago Bears
number one and so minus 4,000 you bet
4,000 make a 100 bucks can't do that
guaranteed in the market but now to the
point uh the Bears are better than
people think and they were last year and
they have since added things so the
Bears the Luke I'm e flu would tell you
his defense can't function unless it has
at least one a-level pass rusher to then
have everything rotate off the back end
of it so how did the Bears look once
they added Montes sweat who is not
that's not adding Prime Von Miller but
it's adding a good player all of a
sudden they were fine it's not like they
were great they were fine they outscored
their opponents they had top 10 points
per game and opponents yards per game
defense they have now added to DJ Moore
who with quarterbacking that evidently
was only worth a sixth round pick did
this last year Keenan Allen and Keenan
did that in only 13 games now I think
Keenan is going to be less productive
because of his age but you then add the
fact that in addition to Caleb Brew they
are going to with the ninth pick of the
draft either be able to add romad dun
Brock Bowers with the second tackle off
the board or the first or second def
Defensive Player of any position off the
board and they added Swift so I expect
the seven and 10 bears with better
quarterbacking more Talent not the dead
cap that had been weighing down the last
two years to be a 10 or 11 win team so I
expect them to make the playoffs all
right so you you came on strong at the
end saying they're going to make the
playoffs because this question I think
Nick hacked your computer why and threw
Dark Horse in there oh no because when
we talked about it on the phone call
it was are they making the playoff I
will pick them to make the playoffs as
of now so are dark I don't believe in
dark non in the hunt will they be I'm
not are they making the playoff yeah
they'll be in the hunt but here's the
thing I think Detroit and Green Bay are
definitely making the playoffs and that
so that's two in that division so you I
think you like those teams too if I
remember Nick's tears I think both werey
yeah the Bears I think the Bears were on
the I mean the Bears were quite high as
well
we're going to have three I I don't
think you saying three from that
division but I think I still think
Dallas and Philly I know I don't have
like a strange team in here but Atlanta
I got uh and then San Francisco and the
Rams so you have the same playoffs as
last year with Baker out and the Falcons
in that's not going to happen it's just
not going to be the same we will see I
mean but that's the the it's just not
you yelled at me when I didn't think
bejan Robinson would be Rookie of the
Year I'm just saying I'm just saying and
so I just think that if you let me put
it a different way brw cuz if go ahead
sorry no I'm just saying which one's not
making it Detroit or they could have
three cuz the NFC is kind of weak but I
think I think those two are I almost
think you're looking at it from the
wrong direction which is aside from the
NFC South which we think you know what I
mean there's could have a division right
but Atlanta and Tampa could no what I'm
let me ask it a different way let's just
say Atlanta's in if another NFC team
that missed the playoffs last year is is
going to make it which most years
there's at least two new per conference
are the bears not the best bet the
options would be Washington or the
Giants the the Bears uh and the fourth
NFC North team oh The Who Am oh the
Vikings the Vikings the you don't have a
quarterback right now we said the NFC
South we said New Orleans Carolina
Atlanta and then Seattle or Arizona like
some people might say Seattle they got a
new head coach if you think there's
going to be a bounceback year from Kyler
I get it my point is I think I think the
Bears are the best is the right dark
hores cuz I don't think Caleb's going to
be CJ Stout now I think Caleb will be
good eventually and but I think this
year he'll show promise he'll make us
say yeah that was the right pick but I
don't think he's coming in like CJ so
but CJ I I think you even if you're
right on that CJ had to be CJ because
that Texans team was earned the number
two pick on their own volition that
Texans team was was awful the year
before they were a three- win team no I
get it but you're saying because they
were bad he had to be so good no no I'm
giving CJ credit my point is if we if
the Bears were the typical number one
pick team we would expect usually about
a three- win Improvement if they draft
the right quarterback my point is a
three- win Improvement for the Bears is
10 because they won seven g games last
year that's not bad yeah I'll buy that I
I might buy that so you really I might
buy it argument it's a who you pick to
win the N te oh my gosh BR who you pick
to win the NFC last year and they made
the playoffs the
Eagles short of the turnovers we were
heading the right direction body
betrayed him everyone knows back thanks
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