While the Pittsburgh Steelers have their hands full with two starting caliber quarterbacks, the Minnesota Vikings just lost their 10th overall draft pick JJ McCarthy to a season-ending knee injury. McCarthy, coming out of Michigan, was brought in to be Minnesota's next franchise quarterback, while also looking to compete with Sam Darnold for the starting gig in 2024. With the Vikings just receiving the news that they will be without their rookie QB for the remainder of this season, former Steelers linebacker, Arthur Moats suggests the possibility of Pittsburgh sending Justin Fields over back to the NFC North to compete with Darnold.
Russell Wilson still apparently leads the race in the quarterback competition in Pittsburgh between he and Fields. Even with Wilson being limited due to his calf injury, the Steelers haven't seen enough from Fields to change the depth chart. Wilson didn't participate in the first preseason match against the Houston Texans, but is scheduled to make his first start against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday.
Meanwhile, both Darnold and McCarthy got some reps in the Vikings' first preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Darnold, the starter, completed 4 out of 8 passes for 59 yards. Next in at QB was McCarthy, who threw 11 for 17, 188 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Minnesota wound up taking the win with a game-winning 38-yard field goal.
During The Arthur Moats Experience With Deke Podcast, the show talked about the possibility of sending Fields over to the Vikings now that the Steelers seem even more confident that Wilson will be the Week 1 starter. While the Steelers certainly have no interest in sending away a generational talent, it's more likely that Minnesota would make the call over.
"I don't think Pittsburgh calls them, I think Minnesota could call us though," Moats explained during the show. "Because if Sam Darnold is your quarterback right now and we look at the rest of their depth chart, you mean to tell me a Justin Fields sitting behind a Russell Wilson isn't intriguing enough to make a phone call to?"
The Steelers received Fields from the Chicago Bears by only giving up a conditional sixth-round draft pick, which could become a fourth-rounder depending on how much playing time Fields gets this season. Meaning, the Vikings would have to be giving up more than that, and by a large amount, in order to intrigue the Steelers in a trade for Fields.
As the Bears' divisional rival, Fields has familiarity with Minnesota. He's only thrown for two touchdowns in his four games against the Purple and Gold, losing three of those games (1-3 record). Again, the odds of a trade like this happening are next to none, but you never know what the Vikings would be willing to offer. They could become extremely desperate shortly.
Steelers QB Russell Wilson Making His First Appearance In Pittsburgh
Steeler Nation was disappointed when it was announced Wilson wouldn't be taking the field in their first preseason game of 2024. Wilson will be getting roughly four series with the starters Saturday night however, when they host the Bills. This will be the last time they play in Acrisure Stadium until their regular season home opener in Week 3 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Though, if Wilson under-performs, this would be Fields' best shot at making a leap in the QB competition. Opportunities are getting limited as there are only about three weeks until opening day for the NFL. If it seems that Wilson will end up as the starter for the entire 2024 season, do you think Fields would like to move on and possibly play for the Vikings?
