The Chicago Bears will officially have a new quarterback for the 2024 season.
With rumors surfacing that the Pittsburgh Steelers had renewed interest in Bears' quarterback Justin Fields, the two teams were able to finalize a trade on Saturday night.
Bears are trading Justin Fields for a 2025 6th-round pick that goes to a 4th-round pick based on playtime, per sources. pic.twitter.com/E7JY7K60Wn
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2024
Fields' trade to the Steelers was set in motion by Pittsburgh's signing of veteran quarterback Russell Wilson earlier this week. The initial plan for the Steelers was to have a quarterback competition between Wilson and incumbent starting quarterback Kenny Pickett.
Shortly after Wilson's official arrival in Pittsburgh, Pickett was informed that the veteran would have the first reps with the team's starting offense during Training Camp. Pickett did not take well to this news, leading to the team sending the quarterback to the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday.
With Pickett no longer in the picture and the Steelers needing not only a backup quarterback but a potential long-term answer at the position, all signs pointing to the team circling back on their interest in Fields.
The Chicago Bears quarterback debate is over as Justin Fields has been traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Of course, the ramifications are much larger for the Bears.
Throughout the off-season, all signs have pointed toward the Bears selecting Caleb Williams as the first overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. The final boxes on the Bears' preparation to select Williams will be checked this week at USC's Pro Day and Williams' consequent visit to Halas Hall.
The argument can be made that the Bears are now the best team that a rookie quarterback has ever entered the NFL with.
Williams will be inserted as the starting quarterback of a Bears' offense that will include wide receiver D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen, running back D'Andre Swift, and tight end Cole Kmet. With a defense that is already ascending toward being among the best units in the NFL, the Bears could be a surprise playoff contender next season.