Bears trade Justin Fields to Steelers for 2025 sixth-round pick
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields has been traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a sixth-round draft pick in 2025.
That pick could turn into a fourth-round pick depending on how much Fields plays in Pittsburgh, with nine-time Pro-Bowler Russell Wilson their likely starter.
"We have engaged in multiple trade conversations in recent weeks and believe trading Justin at this time to Pittsburgh is what is best for both Justin and the Bears," Bears general manager Ryan Poles said in a news release. "Today we spoke to Justin to inform him of the trade and the rationale behind it for us as a Club. We want to thank him for his tireless dedication, leadership and all he poured into our franchise and community the last three years and wish him the best towards a long and successful NFL career."
On Saturday evening, the always-gracious Fields issued a statement on X, formerly Twitter, bidding farewell to Chicago and the Bears:
"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 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!"
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson also tweeted about the Fields trade Saturday evening: "For three years, Justin Fields brought heart, hustle, and muscle to every snap, making big plays and inspiring Bears fans of all ages with his drive and determination. We wish him the very best in his future in the NFL, and thank him for giving his all to our team and our city."
Fields electrified Bears fans at times and there was no questioning his leadership, but he just didn't do enough as a passer and is the victim of the Bears holding the No. 1 pick for this year.
Fields' status with the Bears had been in doubt since the middle of the 2023 season, when rumors started to circulate about the Bears' long-term 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.
The Steelers have reportedly been interested in Fields for quite some time.
Meanwhile, the debate has been tearing apart Bears fans – Fields, or USC quarterback Caleb Williams, whom the Bears will almost surely draft at No. 1 overall this spring?
Poles said at the start of the NFL Combine earlier this month that the team had hoped to decide the future of the quarterback position quickly. For the Bears' front office, it seems pretty clear it was always about what they could get in return for Fields - and it turned out to be not that much.
Fields, 25, played in 40 regular-season games in his three seasons with the Bears and had 38 starts. Altogether with the Bears, he completed 578 of 958 passes – for 6,674 yards with 40 touchdowns and 30 interceptions. This made for an 82.3 quarterback rating, the Bears said.
Fields also had 356 rushes for 2,220 yards, with 14 touchdowns, the Bears noted.
In 2022, he also became the fourth quarterback in NFL history to rush for more than 1,000 yards, and he led the Bears in rushing in the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
Last season alone, he threw for more than 2,500 yards, 16 touchdowns, and nine interceptions -- and added more than 650 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground in 13 games.
In college, Fields enjoyed a prolific career at Ohio State. A two-year starter in Columbus, Fields led the Buckeyes to consecutive appearances in the College Football Playoff. His most iconic moment with the Buckeyes was his six-touchdown performance in Ohio State's 49-28 win over Clemson in the 2021 Sugar Bowl.
Fields will look to further tap into his potential in Pittsburgh, who recently traded Kenny Pickett to Philadelphia after signing Wilson.
This trade also comes less than two years after Pittsburgh traded Chase Claypool to Chicago in exchange for a pick the Steelers ultimately used to draft cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
