Bears Sending Justin Fields to the Steelers for Draft Picks
On Friday, the Pittsburgh Steelers decided to grant quarterback Kenny Pickett’s wish to be moved after the free agent signing of veteran quarterback Russell Wilson. A day later, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Steelers are acquiring Bears’ quarterback Justin Fields for a 2025 sixth-round pick that will become a fourth-round pick if Fields plays in 51% or more of the snaps this season. The Bears’ decision to pull the trigger on trading the former 2021 first-round pick comes after three chaotic seasons in which Chicago was reluctant to commit long-term with Fields as the starting quarterback. Now, according to ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, Fields will have the opportunity to learn behind Super Bowl 48 Champion Russell Wilson in Pittsburgh next season as the backup.
Fields, 25, was drafted by the Bears with the 11th overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft after trading up with the Giants to select Fields. During his three seasons with the Bears, Fields threw for 6,674 yards and 40 touchdowns on 60.3% of his passes, with 30 interceptions. In 2022, Fields became the third quarterback behind Michael Vick and Lamar Jackson to run for 1,000 or more yards in a season, as he ran for 1,143 yards and 14 touchdowns. As a starter, Fields had a record of 10-28 in Chicago. Last season, Fields finished the year with 2,562 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, nine interceptions and was sacked 44 times, which was fifth most amongst quarterbacks.
Following a 2023-24 season, which saw the Bears finish 7-10 and last place in the NFC North, the Bears made clear their uncertainty with Fields under the helm as the starting quarterback. During the NFL Scouting Combine, Bears’ general manager Ryan Poles spoke on the Caleb Williams-Justin Fields dilemma and possibly moving on from Fields. Poles stated, “I would love to know, but I know that’s not how the process works,” Poles continued, “Like I said, if we were to do something with Justin, I want to do right by him and I know, again, living in that gray space, we would want to do something sooner rather than later.” With the Bears officially moving on from Fields, it appears that former USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams’ future has become clearer as the Bears are now anticipated to select Williams with the first pick in next month’s NFL Draft.
