Chicago Bears trade QB Justin Fields to Steelers
Chicago — The Bears acknowledged in a statement on Saturday that quarterback Justin Fields had been traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
According to a source who spoke with ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Steelers sent a 2025 sixth-round pick, which becomes a fourth-round pick if Fields plays at least 51% of the snaps this season.
Following Russell Wilson’s signing of a one-year contract with the Steelers on Friday, Fields, who wrapped off his third season with the Chicago Bears in 2023, will be in the quarterback room together.
According to a team source who spoke to ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, Fields is not anticipated to challenge Wilson for the starting position. Rather, Fields is anticipated to gain knowledge from the nine-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl victor.
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Bears general manager Ryan Poles first publicly discussed the possibility of a Fields trade two weeks ago at the NFL combine. Poles stated that as Chicago worked out its quarterback strategy for the future, he hoped to “do right” by Fields and not leave the quarterback in limbo.
In a statement confirming the trade on Saturday, he restated that position.
“We have engaged in multiple trade conversations in recent weeks and believe trading Justin at this time to Pittsburgh is what is best for both Justin and the Bears,” Poles said. “We met with Justin today to let him know about the transaction and our club’s reasoning behind it.
“We want to thank him for his tireless dedication, leadership and all he poured into our franchise and community the last three years and wish him the best towards a long and successful NFL career.”
Chicago is the first team in the common draft era to have the top pick in the draft one season after trading it, as they now hold the No. 1 pick. The Bears traded wide receiver DJ Moore and four draft picks, including the Panthers’ 2024 first-round selection, to Carolina in March 2023 in exchange for the No. 1 pick. Following Carolina’s 2–15 record in 2023, Chicago was guaranteed the top pick in the draft order.
Fields’ absence from the team means the Bears will likely select a quarterback in April’s draft.
The Bears’ 7–10 final record in 2023 earned them the ninth overall pick. Fields suffered a dislocated right thumb during the season, which caused him to miss four games. In addition to throwing for a career-high 2,562 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions, he demonstrated improved ball security by securing fewer passes and taking fewer sacks than he did in 2022.
After 38 starts, in which he completed 60.3% of his passes for 6,674 yards, 40 touchdowns, and 30 interceptions, Fields’ tenure with the Bears comes to an end. Despite the depth and talent of the 2024 quarterback class and Chicago’s quarterback shortage, Bears coach Matt Eberflus said the Bears are using the same evaluation procedure as last year to find their next quarterback.
After three seasons with Seattle, offensive coordinator Shane Waldron was hired by the Bears in January. Waldron stated that he “totally believe[s]” that his offense will function with the quarterback the Bears selected before they parted ways with Fields.
“I felt different quarterbacks have been able to step foot into the system and be able to learn it quickly,” Waldron stated in February. “And it begins with our ability to instruct them effectively so that they comprehend it. Since every guy will have a unique skill set, how does it proceed? The players truly assume responsibility and command over that.”
“I look at the guys that can operate third down, two-minute and the end of the game situations,” Eberflus stated. “That seems like a divide to me. Next, you examine toughness. For a quarterback, toughness primarily refers to having the mental toughness needed to stand in the pocket and deliver the ball as well as the discernment needed to exit the pocket and create when called upon. They are a diverse range of sizes and shapes. It has always been enjoyable to assess those.