The Chicago Bears and Justin Fields finally parted ways on Saturday, with the young quarterback offloaded in a deal for a future sixth-round draft pick—which might move up to the fourth round—with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Bears decided to let Fields go before the draft because it looked like they would pick USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall choice.
At least four other teams have contacted the Bears over a possible trade for the 25-year-old signal-caller, suggesting that there was plenty of interest in the player. According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Fields’s representation preferred that the quarterback not be transferred to either of those clubs and informed Chicago that he wanted to join the Steelers.
The Bears and GM Ryan Poles did right by the former No. 11 pick, sending him to his preferred destination instead of shipping him elsewhere for maximum value. The report did not indicate which other teams were neither Fields nor the bids Chicago got piqued my curiosity.
Although it makes sense that Fields would attract interest in trade, especially as a backup, he appears to be content to play in Pittsburgh as Russell Wilson’s backup. Wilson inked a one-year contract with the team just days before Fields was acquired by the Steelers.
Fields completed 60.3% of his throw attempts, threw 40 touchdown passes, 30 interceptions, and made 38 starts during his three seasons with the Bears. He was a two-pronged danger who amassed 2,220 yards on the ground, including 1,143 yards in 2022, and 14 rushing touchdowns.
