The Chicago Bears finally made the move everyone was waiting for. On Saturday, after three uninspiring and disappointing seasons, the Bears traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers will send a draft pick in exchange for Fields, who’s had varied results on the field over the past few years.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport came around first with the news on Saturday afternoon.
“The Bears are trading QB Justin Fields to the Steelers,” Rapoport said.
🚨 🚨 🚨
The #Bears are trading QB Justin Fields to the #Steelers, sources say. A new QB into the competition. pic.twitter.com/hGQpbVwoRA
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2024
Three minutes later, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter emerged with further details on the situation.
“Bears are trading Justin Fields for a 2025 6th-round pick that goes to a 4th-round pick based on playtime,” Schefter said.
Bears are trading Justin Fields for a 2025 6th-round pick that goes to a 4th-round pick based on playtime, per sources. pic.twitter.com/E7JY7K60Wn
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2024
So ends a disappointing run in Chicago for Fields. The Bears drafted him high in the 2021 NFL Draft, hoping he would help change a difficult and stubbornly long quarterback drought in the Windy City. Things didn’t really go that way. Through mismanagement, disorganization, and admittedly poor play at times, Fields played his way out of the situation.
Another go around at the top pick, with Caleb Williams on the board, was too much for the Bears to pass up. And so they proceed on now, likely taking Williams 1-1 in April’s NFL Draft. For Fields, it’s a bit tough. He’ll probably sit behind Russell Wilson next season in Pittsburgh. He might have to see some earnings drop. But, if this works out for him, he could enjoy a resurgence.
