Justin Fields has made a move. The buzz around the former Chicago Bears quarterback has finally settled as he’s been traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers. This trade involves a 2025 sixth-round pick that could become a fourth-round pick depending on Fields’ playing time, as reported by CBS Sports’ Senior NFL Insider Jonathan Jones.
The speculation about Fields’ future with the Bears had been swirling since mid-2023. It became clear that the Bears were looking to reset their quarterback lineup, offering Fields a chance to start anew with another team. The Steelers, having shown interest in Fields for a while, are that new team.
Fields expressed his gratitude towards Chicago through a post on X following the announcement of the trade. He thanked the city, the Bears organization, and his teammates for their support during his time with the team. He acknowledged the highs and lows of the past three years and expressed his excitement for the next chapter of his career.
In Pittsburgh, Fields will team up with nine-time Pro Bowler Russell Wilson, who joined the Steelers just before they traded their former starter, Kenny Pickett, to the Philadelphia Eagles. Wilson is set to be the starting quarterback, with Fields as his backup, according to ESPN.
The trade of Fields almost guarantees that the Bears will pick former USC quarterback Caleb Williams as their next starting quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick. The Bears’ future quarterback will have a solid support system, including wide receivers Keenan Allen and DJ Moore, running back D’Andre Swift, and tight end Gerald Everett.
Financially, the Steelers find themselves in a favorable position with Fields, who is in the final year of his rookie contract with a cap hit of just $3.2 million.
Next offseason, Pittsburgh plans to extend Wilson’s contract, as reported by the Post-Gazette. This move suggests Fields might explore the open market if things don’t work out with Wilson. However, the Steelers could retain Fields as a precautionary measure.
Despite a challenging tenure with the Bears, where Fields had a 10-28 record as a starter, he showed significant potential. His performance improved each season, culminating in personal bests in completion percentage, passing yards, and touchdown passes in 2022, alongside the second-highest rushing total for a quarterback in NFL history.
Fields had a standout college career at Ohio State, leading the Buckeyes to two College Football Playoff appearances. His remarkable six-touchdown game against Clemson in the 2021 Sugar Bowl remains a highlight of his college career.
Fields is now poised to unlock his full potential with the Steelers, who have revamped their quarterback roster over the past month.