The Justin Fields Era (or error as some might call it) in the Windy City is officially over.
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Chicago Bears have traded Fields – their starter for the last 2.5 seasons – to the Pittsburgh Steelers. In a follow-up report, he revealed that the Bears will receiver a conditional sixth-round pick that could escalate to a fourth-round pick.
“The #Bears are trading QB Justin Fields to the #Steelers, sources say. A new QB into the competition,” Rapoport posted on X.
“It’s a conditional 6th round pick that can become a fourth rounder going to the #Bears. And a new era in Chicago.”
Fields was drafted No. 11 overall following an historic career with the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Bears traded up in the 2021 NFL Draft to bring Fields into the fold.
Fields made his debut midway through his rookie season and struggled mightily as a passer, but showed a lot of promise as a rusher. The following season, he made marginal improvements as a passer but really came into his own as one of league’s most mobile quarterbacks, rushing for 1,143 yards and eight touchdowns while leading the league in yards per carry.
Yet the team still struggled to win games in 2022 and wound up with the worst record in the league that year. They hoped to build around him in the ensuing offseason, but in 2023, Fields regressed heavily and went 5-8 as a starter.
Fields now goes from being the starter in Chicago to a competitor for the starting job in Pittsburgh with Russell Wilson.
His future in the NFL remains a bit murky. But the Bears’ plans for the 2024 NFL Draft now look crystal clear.