The wait is over — Justin Fields has been traded. The Chicago Bears sent the 24-year-old quarterback to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a conditional 2025 sixth-round pick. Fields will now join a quarterback room that acquired Russell Wilson a week ago, while the Bears have cleared the deck to take a QB with the first overall pick.
Justin Fields Traded to the Steelers
The Bears entered the offseason as the NFL‘s biggest X-factor. Their decision to commit to Fields or to trade him and keep the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft would create a domino effect around the league.
At last, the situation is resolved.
The Steelers sent the Bears a 2025 sixth-round pick that could become a fourth-round pick if he plays in 51% of plays in the 2024 season.
Fields has one year and $2.7 million remaining on his current contract. The Steelers will need to decide whether to pick up his fifth-year option.
Fields posted a message on Twitter/X shortly after the reported trade, saying, “Can’t say thank you enough to the city of Chicago for taking me in and embracing me. Thank you to the entire Bears organization and ownership for allowing me the opportunity to be part of such a historic franchise.
“But most of all thank you to my all my brothers that I played with. You all were the reason I attacked each day the way I did. I can’t thank you all enough for what y’all have meant to me over the last 3 years through the ups and downs. I wish each one of you nothing but success. Ready for this next chapter!”
Will Justin Fields Back Up Russell Wilson?
At the beginning of March, the Steelers’ QB room was Mason Rudolph vs. Kenny Pickett. Six days after signing former Super Bowl champ Russell Wilson to a one-year, $1.2M deal, the Steelers traded for Fields, who was the 11th pick of the 2021 NFL Draft for Chicago. And on Friday, the Steelers sent 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett to the Eagles in a trade for draft picks.
Fields is one of the NFL’s most polarizing quarterbacks. On one hand, his athleticism and playmaking ability make him an electrifying talent with significant upside. On the other hand, his limitations as a pocket passer make it fair to wonder whether the 2021 first-rounder can be a true franchise QB.
Fields went just 10-28 over his three seasons in Chicago. In 13 games last season, he completed 61.4% of his passes for 2,562 yards and 16 touchdowns to go along with nine interceptions. He added 124 carries for 657 yards and four scores.
Those are solid numbers, even though they only produced five victories. However, it’s Fields’ performance in crunch time, when QBs must consistently deliver high-level throws, that raises concerns.
Here’s how he ranked among 32 qualifying quarterbacks in the fourth quarter last season:
- Completion percentage: 32nd
- Touchdown/pass attempt rate: 26th
- Interception/pass attempt rate: 32nd
- Sack percentage: 26th
- Yards per attempt: 26th
- Passer rating: 32nd
- EPA per pass attempt: 32nd
Sure, you can blame some of that on Chicago’s middling roster, which included a bad offensive line. However, Fields must also shoulder some blame for providing poor quarterback play in key situations.
Will a change of scenery bring out the best in Fields? Perhaps learning from Wilson could help. According to ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, Wilson will be the starter, and Fields will back him up.
The Steelers will now have a backfield featuring Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris and 3rd-year WR George Pickens out wide. The offense also includes TE Pat Freiermuth, who has 95 catches over the last two seasons. So, if Fields sees time under center this season, he will have plenty of weapons to help him succeed.
What Does Justin Fields Trade Mean for the Bears?
The speculation can now end. Barring a stunning change, Chicago will keep the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
In all likelihood, that pick will be used on USC quarterback Caleb Williams, who’s considered the best prospect available in this year’s draft. Williams should be ready to start on Day 1, and he could be an immediate upgrade over Fields, who’s limited as a pocket passer.
Will Williams be enough to send Chicago back to the playoffs? Perhaps.
RELATED: It’s Caleb Williams or Bust for the Bears
The Bears have some impressive offensive weapons, including receiver DJ Moore, tight end Cole Kmet, and running back D’Andre Swift. The defense also made significant improvements in the second half of last season.
Still, the Bears likely will be hitching their wagons to a rookie quarterback, meaning expectations should be tempered.
Miss football? The 2024 NFL Draft is almost here, boss. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!