Mandatory Photo Credit: © Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
CHICAGO — On Saturday, the Bears agreed to trade Justin Fields to the Steelers for a 2025 sixth-round draft pick.
And fans on social media were outraged.
Fields, 25, had shown flashes of his upside down the stretch, and many experts predicted that he could return as much as a second-round pick.
But were the Steelers the best available offer?
NFL Network’s Ian Rapport reported Sunday that four NFL teams inquired about the 25-year-old quarterback, but his camp “asked for him not to be traded there” as he “wanted the Steelers.”
“Important note on the Justin Fields trade: At least four additional teams inquired about trading for Fields, but Fields’ representation asked for him not to be traded there. He wanted the #Steelers, and the #Bears did right by him.”
The teams and their proposals were not specified, but Bears general manager Ryan Poles reassured fans of the move:
“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,” Poles said. “Today we spoke to Justin to inform him of the trade and the rationale behind it for us as a club. We wish him the best towards a long and successful NFL career.”
The former Ohio State standout spent his three seasons with the Bears but struggled, amassing a 10-28 record in 38 starts.
Fields took to social media to send his final farewell to the organization:
“Thank you to the entire Bears organization and ownership for allowing me the opportunity to be part of such a historic franchise. 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.”
Next stop for Chicago? Caleb Williams.
