CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears traded Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night, clearing the way for them to draft a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick — perhaps USC's Caleb Williams.
The Bears received a 2025 sixth-round draft pick that could potentially become a fourth-rounder this year in return.
“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,” general manager Ryan Poles said in a statement. “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.”
People are also reading…
Fields thanked Chicago and the organization, as well as his teammates in a post on X.
“Can’t say thank you enough to the city of Chicago for taking me in and embracing me,” he tweeted. “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!”
Fields figures to back up nine-time Pro Bowler Russell Wilson, who signed a one-year deal with the Steelers on Friday. Pittsburgh also traded Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles once it added Wilson.
Wilson tweeted a picture of him and Fields shaking hands with the message: “Let’s get it @justnfields! QB room bout to be (fire).”
Fields, drafted 11th overall in 2021 by the Bears and former general manager Ryan Pace, struggled as a rookie under former coach Matt Nagy. Though he produced big plays with his legs and arms, he did not develop as a passer the way the team hoped the past two years under Poles and coach Matt Eberflus.
Fields completed 578 of 958 passes for 6,674 yards with 40 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in three seasons. He has just one 300-yard passing game in his career.
The trade of Fields comes two days after the Bears acquired Keenan Allen from the Los Angeles Chargers in their second trade for a star receiver in as many years.
Allen is looking forward to giving the Bears a dynamic tandem at wide receiver with DJ Moore, and working with whoever the quarterback is next season. Chicago dealt the No. 1 pick in 2023 to Carolina for Moore last March.
“I’m a friendly guy on and off the field," Allen said Saturday, two days after the Bears acquired the six-time Pro Bowler from the Los Angeles Chargers for a fourth-round pick. "Obviously on the football field, I know the game. I know the ins and outs, I know the zones, I know how to beat man, I know pretty much how to play the game. I just think I’m friendly for the quarterback because I’ll be in the right spots. I know how to communicate with him and my body language is solid, too.”
BRIEFLY
BRONCOS: Agent David Canter said his client Cody Barton is signing a one-year deal with Denver, which lost Josey Jewell in free agency. Barton had 121 tackles for the Washington Commanders last season. He's a sixth-year pro who has 257 tackles over the last two seasons.
CHARGERS: Los Angeles re-signed quarterback Easton Stick and added free agent defensive lineman Poona Ford. Stick started the final four games of last season after Justin Herbert broke a finger on his throwing hand on Dec. 10 against Denver.
SEAHAWKS: Seattle solidified a revamped linebacker unit by signing former Miami inside linebacker Jerome Baker to a one-year contract. The 27-year-old Baker spent all six of his NFL seasons with the Dolphins before being released with a failed physical designation earlier this month.
