Why Bears traded Justin Fields to the Steelers, what’s next

One of the big questions of the 2024 NFL free agency period was answered Saturday when the Chicago Bears traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 2025 sixth-round draft pick that becomes a fourth-round pick if Fields plays 51% of Pittsburgh's players. is taking snaps in 2024, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The move ends the former first-round pick's tenure with the Bears after three seasons, all but confirming that Chicago will draft a quarterback — likely USC's Caleb Williams — No. 1 overall on April 25.

Fields joins a Steelers team that has generated some QB-related headlines in recent weeks, including its acquisition of nine-time Pro Bowler Russell Wilson and the trade of former first-rounder Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday.

ESPN's Courtney Cronin and Brooke Pryor provide insight into the Fields trade from the Bears and Steelers' perspectives, including what's next for both franchises at quarterback.

Does this remove any doubt that the Bears will draft Caleb Williams?

Cronin: ​​The Bears are finalizing their evaluations of Williams and the other top quarterbacks in the draft, and they will make a decision in the coming weeks. A large contingent of the Bears' front office and coaching staff will be in attendance for USC's pro day on March 20. The team will then host Williams on a top-30 tour to learn more about him as a person.

All signs point to Williams being the top pick. Chicago will also formulate its contingency plan to potentially trade a pick or two if its evaluation leads to a prospect other than Williams.

Williams is a prohibitive favorite at -5000 to be the No. 1 pick, according to ESPN BET.

Will Fields have the opportunity to win the starting job in 2024, or is this a long-term play for the Steelers?

Prior: It's a long-term game. Wilson is the team's starting quarterback, a team source told me. Fields is expected to join him in Pittsburgh to learn from a player who has been selected to nine Pro Bowls and won a Super Bowl. But, of course, 66 quarterbacks started an NFL game last season, so just because Fields isn't expected to start in Week 1 doesn't mean he won't see the field at some point. By adding Fields for a sixth-round pick in 2025 — which turns into a fourth if Fields plays more than 51% of snaps in 2024 — behind Wilson, who signed a one-year contract for the league minimum, the Steelers address the quarterback's short-term and long-term needs without giving up significant cap space or draft capital.

Why didn't it work for Fields in Chicago?

Cronin: Despite skyrocketing potential, Fields never definitively answered the question of whether he could become the Bears' franchise quarterback. His mobility was among the league's best among quarterbacks, but a hit against him allowed him to hold on to the ball too long, often leading him to be among the most sacked QBs in the NFL. Fields (3.18) and Russell Wilson (3.02) averaged the longest and third longest throwing times over the past three years, respectively, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

Fields is entering his fourth season, and Chicago's ability to start the clock again by drafting a quarterback next month is huge. If the Bears had held out with Fields, they would have had to exercise his $25.7 million fifth-year option by May 2 and start thinking about a costly extension in the near future.

As the first wave of free agency comes to a close, the Bears' depth chart includes new additions: wide receiver Keenan Allen, running back D'Andre Swift and tight end Gerald Everett, along with returning veterans DJ Moore, Cole Kmet and an improved offensive line. Defensively, the Bears are in a good position with Jaylon Johnson, Montez Sweat and Tremaine Edmunds. The Bears believe they are ready to compete and want to turn to a quarterback who is the reason they win games.

And with Williams considered a generational talent, the Bears felt it was the right time to move on from Fields.

How does Fields' skills translate to Arthur Smith's offense in Pittsburgh?

Prior: Fields' greatest strength is his mobility – he was the NFL's most prolific scrambler last season with 1,359 yards on 153 scrimmages – but also, like Wilson, he has the skills to be a solid quarterback. play-using back. He completed 56 of 90 attempts for 718 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions off the play last season.

One of Smith's top priorities is establishing a balanced attack through a strong running game anchored by Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, and Fields' prowess throwing the deep ball can go a long way toward achieving that. In 2023, Fields has thrown seven touchdown passes targeting go routes, tied for fourth-most in the NFL, according to NFL Next Gen Stats – something Steelers receivers like George Pickens will appreciate. Fields has also suffered numerous sacks over the past two seasons. Wilson (100) and Fields (99) have been sacked more than any other QB since the start of 2022. No other QB has been sacked 80 times during that span, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

What made the Bears decide this was the best deal they could get?

Cronin: The Bears had hoped to land a Day 2 pick in the 2024 draft, coupled with a 2025 pick that would have the potential to go south before the game in Indianapolis in late February, a source with knowledge of the team's plans told ESPN . The parameters of the trade that sent former New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold to the Carolina Panthers (a 2021 sixth-round pick plus 2022 second- and fourth-round selections) were ones on which Chicago had hoped to model its Fields trade. But as potential destinations quickly faded with Russell Wilson signing with Pittsburgh, Kirk Cousins ​​with Atlanta and Baker Mayfield remaining in Tampa, the Bears had to adjust the type of return they hoped to receive.

A source told ESPN that five teams besides Pittsburgh have contacted Chicago and the majority of those teams have considered the former first-round pick in a backup role. Additionally, the Steelers were in talks with the Bears throughout free agency week and reached out again after sending Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday. The Bears received an additional offer with greater draft capital from a team with an established starter, according to a source, but opted to send Fields to Pittsburgh in hopes of landing the 25-year-old able to continue its development – ​​first. as Wilson's replacement and eventually as a starter.

In Indianapolis, Bears general manager Ryan Poles said he wanted to “do right” by Fields, which included not keeping him on a team with a rookie and finding a place where he could continue to grow. In Pittsburgh, Fields will get that chance.