Justin Fields won’t get a contract like Jordan Love, says Kaboly: “I don’t think the Steelers would reach that number”

The Pittsburgh Steelers have declined the option of quarterback Justin Fields, but some believe they will negotiate a deal soon. If not, Fields can become an unrestricted free agent in March, but how can they lure him? Many have pointed to the Green Bay Packers’ deal with Jordan Love, whom they drafted. Mark Kaboly sees it differently, as he recently wrote for The Athletic:

The Packers gave Jordan Love $13.5 million to keep him for another year, but they were more confident he would be their quarterback of the future than what the Steelers think of Fields after 12 practices in shorts. I don’t think the Steelers would hit that number, but they would have to entice him enough to want to sign. Maybe he’ll want to become a free agent after the season and seek a better opportunity with more money. Remember, there’s always more to these situations than “just signing him.” The player has to want to stay, too, and we don’t know that one way or the other yet.

The Packers already have a long history of drafting quarterbacks for the future. They drafted Love when Aaron Rodgers was still a starter, and they drafted Rodgers when they still had Brett Favre. Both had to wait their turn, but Rodgers kept his promise. Love is showing strong early signs – far more than Justin Fields ever did. with a full-time starting role.

That’s the point when people mention the Jordan Love contract in relation to Justin Fields. Love played 157 snaps in his first two seasons before replacing Rodgers last year. Fields has been a starter for most of the last three years and has managed 10 wins.

And the Steelers are certainly still hoping they won’t have to worry about Fields anytime soon. What they really want is for Russell Wilson to prove himself as a Super Bowl-caliber starter. Fields is younger, but they understand the risk he poses – that’s why they offered so little for him.

Love went 9-8 last season, made the playoffs, and even won a playoff game. He completed 372 of 579 passes for 4,159 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He certainly had his teething issues, but those are very respectable numbers for a rookie in the starting lineup. And he also ran for four touchdowns on 50 attempts for 247 yards.

So I can understand why Kaboly feels the Steelers wouldn’t take the Love contract for Justin Fields. He just has too much playing experience to rely on “promise.” Yes, they hope they can give him a better environment and he still has room to grow. But the more you play, the less people are willing to take risks.

Also, as mentioned, the Packers projected Love as a future starter, the likely successor to Rodgers whenever he left. The Steelers traded Justin Fields after Kenny Pickett left the team. Russell Wilson is the quarterback they brought in to challenge Pickett. If they believed in Fields so much, he would have been in Pittsburgh much sooner.