The Chicago Bears have taken a lot of heat since their trade of quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers was announced on Saturday. The criticism, however, hasn’t necessarily come from people disagreeing with dealing Fields. Instead, it’s come from what the Bears got in return for the former first-round pick.
Chicago will receive a conditional sixth-round draft pick next year for the 3-year QB who’s shown flashes of brilliance throughout his run and increased maturity in recent performances. That sixth-round pick could turn into a fourth-rounder if Fields takes 51% of the offensive snaps this coming season, which isn’t likely as Pittsburgh recently acquired Russell Wilson as their QB1.
Chicago Bears Were “Robbed” In Fields Deal
Former NFL quarterback and current NFL analyst Robert Griffin III gave words to many thoughts shortly after the trade was confirmed, flat-out calling the trade a robbery.
“The Pittsburgh Steelers just robbed the Chicago Bears on the weekend in broad daylight,” Griffin wrote via Twitter/X. “Getting Justin Fields in 2024, giving up ABSOLUTELY NOTHING in 2024 and only giving up a 2025 6th round pick that MIGHT turn into a 4th rounder. This is what we call BIG BANK take little bank.”
Not The First Time Pittsburgh Outwitted Chicago
It’s hard to argue that this Chicago-Pittsburgh transaction wasn’t heavily tilted in Pittsburgh’s favor. And, for those keeping track, this would be the second time in a couple years the Bears front office was seemingly outwitted by the Steelers brain trust. Back in 2022, Pittsburgh sent wide receiver Chase Claypool to Chicago for a second-round draft pick. Claypool would wildly underperform and wind up traded to Miami a year later for 2025 sixth and seventh-round picks. With the Bears second-round draft pick, the Steelers grabbed cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who would become an impact player for the team.
In the particular case of the Fields trade, it’s said that Bears general manager Ryan Poles wanted to “do right by” Fields, even going so far as to reject better trade offers to send him to Pittsburgh, the team Fields and his representatives hand-chose as a landing spot.
Jeff Howe of the Athletic chalked up the Steelers big win as par for the course when it comes to organizations that know how to run their business.
“Well-run organizations know how to take advantage of opportunities, and that’s what the Steelers did here,” Howe wrote. “Fields’ trade market had diminished due to other quarterback moves earlier in the week, so the Steelers pounced.”
So, now everyone moves on. The Steelers got a high-end backup and insurance policy at quarterback with a tremendous up side for the future– without giving up much of anything. The Bears clear the way for, presumably, USC blue chip quarterback prospect Caleb Williams.