The Bears on Saturday agreed to trade quarterback Justin Fields to the Steelers in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round draft pick that could become a fourth-round selection based on playing time, pending Fields passing his physical with Pittsburgh.
“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. “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.”
Fields spent his first three NFL seasons with the Bears. He completed 60.3% of his passes for 6,674 yards with 40 touchdowns, 30 interceptions and an 82.3 passer rating and rushed for 2,220 yards and 14 TDs on 356 carries.
The Bears traded up nine spots in the first round of the 2021 draft to select Fields at No. 11. They moved up by sending four draft choices to the Giants: in Rounds 1 (No. 20) and 5 (No. 164) in 2021 and Rounds 1 and 4 in 2022.
Fields opened his rookie year as the Bears’ No. 2 quarterback behind veteran Andy Dalton. But Dalton sustained an injury in the second game of the season and was replaced by Fields, who started the next eight contests.
As a rookie, the former Ohio State standout appeared in 12 games with 10 starts, throwing for 1,870 yards with seven touchdowns, 10 interceptions and a 73.2 passer rating. He also rushed for 420 yards and two TDs on 72 carries.
Fields showed flashes of his dynamic dual-threat ability, most notably on a spectacular 22-yard touchdown scramble against the 49ers and by engineering a 75-yard TD drive to give the Bears a late lead over the Steelers.
Entering his second season in 2022 as the Bears’ undisputed starting quarterback, Fields blossomed into an electrifying playmaker. The Georgia native rushed for 1,143 yards—the second most by a quarterback in NFL history—and eight touchdowns while also passing for 2,242 yards and 17 TDs.
In 2023, Fields started all 13 games he played, completing 61.4% of his passes for 2,562 yards with 16 TDs, nine interceptions and an 86.3 passer rating. He also rushed for 657 yards and four TDs on 124 carries.
