Report: Chicago Bears trading Justin Fields to Pittsburgh Steelers
Justin Fields is officially on the move. After months of rumors and speculation, the Chicago Bears have traded Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported.
In return, the Bears will receive a 2025 sixth-round pick that could turn into a fourth-rounder based on playing time this season, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported.
The future of Fields was one of the biggest NFL storylines this offseason, with Chicago owning the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Bears will now surely reset at the quarterback position and likely select USC’s Caleb Williams.
Pittsburgh immediately came up as a potential destination – and was the betting favorite at one point – but that came into question after the Steelers signed Russell Wilson. However, the franchise became back in play after trading Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles. That left a spot for Fields to land and learn from Wilson since the two have similar skillsets.
As for Fields, it’s a much-needed change of scenery. Fields, the 2021 first-round pick out of Ohio State, is entering his fourth season in the NFL. To this point, the results have been a mixed bag. Chicago went 10-28 in his starts. He has thrown for 6,674 yards, 40 touchdowns and 30 interceptions on 60.3% passing. Pass protection in front of him was an issue, as he was sacked 135 times, including a league-high 55 times in 2022.
Fields’ strength has been his playmaking ability with his legs, as he has rushed for 2,220 yards and 14 scores. He rushed for 1,143 yards in 2022, the second-most all-time in a single season by a quarterback (Lamar Jackson, 1,206 yards in 2019).
Fields previously stated on “The St. Brown Bros” podcast with Bears wideout Equanimeous St. Brown and Detroit Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown that he wanted to stay with the Bears.
“Yeah, of course. Of course, I wanna stay,” Fields said. “I can’t see myself playing in another place. If it was up to me, I would want to stay in Chicago. I love the city … The fans there are great. It’s a business I ain’t got no control over, so whatever happens, happens. I feel like the biggest thing with all this going on right now [is] I just want it to be over. Like, just let me know if I’m getting traded [or] let me know if I’m staying.”
Nick Schultz contributed to this report.