A new report has revealed that the Chicago Bears passed on getting a better return in a Justin Fields trade because they wanted to send the former first-round pick to a preferred destination.
One of the biggest stories of the NFL offseason has been on the future of former Bears starting QB Justin Fields. After three seasons with mixed results, the organization decided it was time to move on from the 25-year-old and use their top overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to replace him with highly touted prospect Caleb Williams.
- Justin Fields trade return: Bears received a 2025 6th round pick that can become a 4th round selection
Also Read: 2024 NFL Mock Draft – Who will the Chicago Bears take in Round 1?
However, to the surprise of many, as the team waited to find a trade partner for the QB the rumblings around the league suggested the return would likely be lower than the team had hoped. That was confirmed when Chicago pulled the trigger on a deal that sent him to the Pittsburgh Steelers for just a sixth-round pick in 2025. The selection can be upgraded to a fourth-rounder based on in-season achievements.
Most assumed that was the best that the Bears could get for a trade, but it was revealed by ESPN this week that they could have gotten more, and general manager Ryan Poles passed on a better return to send Fields to the team he preferred.
“Bears general manager Ryan Poles ultimately followed through on a Combine pledge to ‘do right by Justin,’ dealing Fields to Pittsburgh over at least one better offer from a team with an established quarterback starter, a Bears team source said,” Brooke Pryor wrote on Friday.
- Justin Fields stats (2023): 3,219 total yards, 20 total TDs, 9 INTs, 86.3 passer rating
Also Read: Where do the Chicago Bears land in the latest NFL offense rankings?
The story claimed the Steelers, Vikings, Raiders, and Falcons were the teams Justin Fields was open to being moved to but Pittsburgh was the top choice due to the young quarterback’s admiration for head coach Mike Tomlin.
It is nice to hear that a team does the right thing for a player, but one has to wonder if Poles will regret the move if Fields goes on to be a star for the Steelers over the next couple of seasons.
