The Chicago Bears made a bold decision on Saturday night as the team traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The quarterback decision was going to define the off-season for the Bears.
With the first overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Bears were faced with the decision of selecting USC's Caleb Williams or moving forward with Fields as their starting quarterback.
It was a debate that Bears players have been asked about throughout the past several months. Whether it was the team's new starting running back, D'Andre Swift, or wide receiver D.J. Moore, the team has been vocal about their support for Fields.
It should be no surprise to see Bears players immediately take to Twitter to share their reactions to Fields being traded.
Business is Business
— DJ Moore (@idjmoore) March 16, 2024
Ironically, the Bears acquired Moore in the 2023 trade with the Carolina Panthers. It was that very trade that put the Bears in a position to select Williams with the first overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Moore thrived with Fields as his quarterback last season. Moore totaled 1,364 receiving yards on 96 receptions with the Bears last season while totaling 9 touchdowns.
One Bears' player who was more direct with his feelings about the Fields trade was offensive lineman Teven Jenkins.
— Tev (@TevenJenkins) March 16, 2024
Jenkins was drafted along with the Fields during the 2021 NFL Draft. Though availability has been a concern for Jenkins, he has emerged as one of the team's best offensive linemen once healthy. Jenkins has found a home as the Bears' starting left guard and has always been vocal about his support for Fields.
Like Fields was replaced as the Bears' starting quarterback this off-season, running back Khalil Herbert is in a similar position after the team's recent signing of Swift. Unlike Fields, Herbert is expected to have a role with the Bears still next season. However, that did not stop Herbert from sharing his feelings.
🫠
— Khalil Herbert (@JuiceHerbert) March 16, 2024
Last but certainly not least, Fields took to social to bid farewell to Chicago.
Can’t say thank you enough to the city of Chicago for taking me in and embracing me. 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… pic.twitter.com/fT1dORwFU5
— Justin Fields (@justnfields) March 16, 2024