Justin Fields has finally been traded. After months of speculation, the former Chicago Bears‘ quarterback has been dealt to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 2025 sixth-round pick that goes to a fourth-round pick based on playtime.
Fields’ status in Chicago had been in doubt since the middle of the 2023 season, when rumors started to circulate about the Bears’ longterm plans for him. In the end, the Bears ultimately decided to start over at quarterback while giving Fields a fresh opportunity with a new team. That team is the Steelers, who were one of six teams that enquired about Fields, according to ESPN.
“Can’t say thank you enough to the city of Chicago for taking me in and embracing me,” Fields posted on X shortly after the trade was reported. “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!”
In Pittsburgh, Fields will join forces with nine-time Pro Bowler Russell Wilson, who was signed this week just before the Steelers traded former starter Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles. Wilson is penned as Pittsburgh’s starter with Fields serving as his backup, via ESPN.
Russell welcomed his new teammate to Pittsburgh, via “X.”
The trading of Fields all but guarantees that the Bears will select former USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick. The Bears’ next starting quarterback will have a pretty decent supporting cast around him, a group that includes wideouts Keenan Allen and DJ Moore, running back D’Andre Swift and tight end Gerald Everett.
From a money standpoint, the Steelers are in an ideal situation at the quarterback position. Fields is entering the final year of his rookie contract and has a cap hit of just $3.2 million.
Pittsburgh is expected to extend Wilson’s contract next offseason, according to the Post-Gazette, which means that Fields will likely be free to test the open market next offseason. The Steelers could keep Fields, however, in the event that things don’t go as planned with Wilson.
The Steelers signed Wilson for just $1.21…
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