The Bears were finally able to offload quarterback Justin Fields into the trade market today. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that Chicago is trading Fields to the Steelers, where he could potentially compete with newly signed quarterback Russell Wilson for the starting job.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter provides details, telling us that Pittsburgh is sending the Bears a 2025 sixth-round pick that can conditionally become a fourth-round pick, depending on whether or not Fields plays 51 percent of the team’s offensive snaps in 2024. Both teams have announced the deal.
Pittsburgh’s QB room has changed dramatically in recent days, starting with the team’s Wilson deal becoming official. The former Super Bowl winner’s arrival was followed in very short order by a deal sending Kenny Pickett to the Eagles being worked out. The Steelers’ 2022 first-rounder will head to Philadelphia in a pick-swap arrangement. Fields will occupy the vacancy created by Pickett’s departure.
Of course, this deal has led to immediate questions of how Pittsburgh’s depth chart will look in 2024. Rather than Fields entering his first offseason with the team in an opportunity to take over the No. 1 role, it will be Wilson handling starting duties, as reported by both Rapoport’s colleague Tom Pelissero as well as Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Wilson being handed the reins was a key factor in the Pickett deal coming together as quickly as it did.
Fields will firmly be entrenched in the backup spot, though, considering Mason Rudolph (who finished the 2023 campaign as the starter over Pickett) has signed with the Titans. Quarterback play was seen by many as something which had considerable room for improvement in Pittsburgh’s case compared to the post-Ben Roethlisberger options used to date. General manager Omar Khan has moved quickly in re-shaping the depth chart under center. As ESPN’s Ed Werder notes, this offseason marks the first since 1957 that no Steelers signal-caller who played the previous campaign will return for the following one.
The Bears have had a lingering Fields decision to make for the past two offseasons. General manager Ryan Poles had the opportunity to move on from the 2021 11th overall pick last spring, but the team instead elected to forego drafting a passer at the top of the board. The decision to trade last year’s No. 1 pick to the Panthers has left Chicago in a nearly identical situation in 2024, with Poles facing the task of re-committing to Fields or moving on and drafting a rookie (all-but certainly Caleb Williams) with the top selection this April.
Poles’ move last year paved the way for Fields, 25, to cement his status as the quarterback of the future in Chicago. He saw incremental growth in a number of passing categories in 2023 while remaining a threat with his legs. However, Fields’ performance (and that of the team as a whole during the first half of the campaign in particular) was not sufficient to convince Poles to again trade out of the chance to draft a new franchise passer. He, head coach Matt Eberflus and many Bears players publicly praised the Ohio State product but for some time it has been clear a trade would take place.
The matter of Fields’ market has led to challenges for Chicago’s front office. A shortlist of logical landing spots was in place before the outset of free agency, but very few teams made an aggressive push to acquire him knowing Poles was in position to sell at a low price. As one veteran QB domino fell after another this past week – including, perhaps most importantly, Kirk Cousins signing with the Falcons – signs increasingly pointed to Fields being destined for a QB2 gig. A team such as the Rams had been floated as a reasonable spot, but Los Angeles has just added Jimmy Garoppolo as its backup. That left Pittsburgh as one of the few remaining teams without a relatively certain quarterback depth chart in place.
Poles made it clear at the Combine that he wanted Fields’ future to be sorted out as soon as possible. While the Bears have indeed “done right” by him with this deal getting finalized well before the draft, it obviously marks a massive disappointment given the move to trade up and select him three years ago. Like fellow 2021 first-round draftees Trey Lance and Mac Jones, however, Fields has now been dealt to a new team with the possibility of a fresh start. The latter has one year remaining on his rookie contract, but Pittsburgh could add another via the fifth-year option. Picking up that $25.6MM option would come as a major surprise, however, given the fact Wilson will serve as the starter in 2024.
For the coming campaign, though, the Steelers will have a highly cost-effective QB room. Wilson signed for $1.2MM since he is owed $39MM guaranteed from the Broncos. Fields’ 2024 cap hit, meanwhile, will check in at just over $3.2MM. Those two passers will each have plenty to play for in the coming campaign as they spearhead the transition to an offense guided by new OC Arthur Smith and which no longer features wideout Diontae Johnson.
Reacting to the news of the deal, Fields has offered a farewell to Chicago after three seasons in the city. The Bears – a team which has made several moves to augment its skill-position corps this week – will prepare to move in a new direction next moth when they add a passer first overall. As they look to break through for a postseason win for the first time since 2016, meanwhile, the Steelers will boast an intriguing quarterback room featuring little certainty beyond the coming campaign.
Ely Allen contributed to this post.
Let’s goooo!
A 6th round pick?!….Gotta be more than that No?
It’s the 5th year option for $25M that’s the biggest obstacle. That’s alot to take on for a QB you’re not sure about.
And next years 6th to boot!!
It’s a 4th round pick if Wilson doesn’t kill it…
But beyond that, I’m a Bear’s fan and have loved who Fields as a man and an athlete. But after 3 years he was still not able to get rid of the ball. In the modern NFL you HAVE to be able to consistently pass the ball. In the Steeler’s run based offense, he could actually be an improvement over what they’ve been running out there.
The highlight from last season when all 11 defensive players drop back and give Fields all the time in the world to throw and he still manages to throw a pick is burned in my brain forever lol
That’s silly. You build your offense around the player. He should have been running what Cam Newton ran in Carolina early in his career. He was pretty much a carbon copy of young Newton coming out of Auburn. The goal is to move the ball and win games. But keep believing what these coaches feed you to cover their own ineptness, and I actually like Eberflus, but that offense was not the answer.
What offense? A basic west coast offense? Fields couldn’t handle anything more complicated. That was pretty clear if you watched the games.
How do you think Cam Newton would have done running a West Coast offense? It’s the height of stupidity to not go all in and build your offense to what your QB does, whether that be making it a hybrid of the college system they came from, read option, etc. Not to mention that they tore the team down to the studs in year two of his career. No one is saying Fields is a franchise QB or even saying he doesn’t need to improve, but to pretend like he had a real shot with what happened in Chicago is silly. If you take a gifted running QB, the blueprint is what Carolina did with Newton, what the Eagles have done with Hurts, and what Baltimore did with Jackson. Don’t draft these guys and then whine that they aren’t Tom Brady from the pocket day one or even day 500. I mean if your goal is to win games that is.
Fields had a very good running game in 2023. A good TE, decent OL, and decent WRs. He still couldn’t process a play quickly. Still held onto the ball too long and got confused. Took sacks and turned the ball over. Any kind of system you put in place wont matter. That’s why only 1 NFL team thought he’s best as 1 year backup QB.
Steelers could’ve gotten Zach Wilson for just a 7th round pick! Then they’d have the tandem of Wilsons in the QB room
I can’t believe New England didn’t get in on this. Sending a guaranteed 4th round pick would have gotten in done with Chicago. Unreal he’s going to Pitt for 6th rounder that could turn into a 4th rounder depending on playing time…
New England has the third pick in the draft. They didn’t need to do it.
Why? Mac went for that and he’s had a far better season than Fields has ever had. Why pay more than that. The bears have probably been asking for more. They probably thought they could get a 2nd rounder. That changed rather quickly with that Mac trade.
They highly overpaid. I wouldn’t have given more than a big Mac, and a small fries no drink
Lol exactly why you’re a couch GM
Needed to be done.QBs need to make the players around him better. Not the other way around and then pay the QB 50mil a year.
Let’s go Caleb
Bears are dumb i woulda stuck with fields draft harrison and build areound him now they gonna waste pick on a bust…
Fields is a bust. Great athlete, terrible quarterback.
He’s played 3 years on some Bears teams with less-than-average talent. Nevertheless, it’s time enough to call him a bust???? I’ve been impressed by this young man’s refusal to make excuses and whine about the Bears’ lack of success. In my opinion, intestinal fortitude still means a great deal to becoming successful. Perhaps a new situation will be the catalyst to a quantum leap in his performance.
Jordan Love all first and second year wide receivers and tight ends. Stroud going to a Texans team that was trash the year before. Both balled out. Maybe it’s just that whoever the Bear QB is will fail because it’s the Bears. But less than average talent isn’t an excuse after 3 years of watching this guy be slow to his reads and indecisive and inaccurate.
All true. But after 3 seasons, he still can’t get rid of the ball on a regular basis. That’s why nobody traded for him earlier..
You are a Bears fan and have watched him more than I have. I’ll grant you that. I just hate to characterize young players, especially ones who are genuinely trying to work hard and improve themselves as a “bust” after only 3 years. Maybe Fields won’t ever be any better than he is now. But I think he deserves a little more patience before he’s labeled a failure.
I didn’t say he was a bust. I think that’s why Poles traded away the first pick last year. He got him DJ Moore and extended Kmet to try and give him a shot. He’s a great kid, but if you can’t get rid of the ball in the current NFL, no one is going to bet their franchise on you.
First, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to imply you had called Fields a “bust,” I was continuing off the original point made by brewcrewbernie, that Fields is a “bust.” You, at least, made the effort to cite your critique of Fields’ game. Your point about getting rid of the ball quickly is valid. I just hope that with a new set of coaches, a new situation, that he will be able to up his game. In a few years, after making attempts with a different team, ok, maybe then we can conclude he isn’t a great NFL quarterback. I just don’t like the tone of calling someone else who’s really trying, especially at something I can’t do, a “bust.” Some others, not you, seem to revel in that petty meanness. You were fair in your evaluation of his game and charitable in summarizing his character. Kudos to you.
This is one of the most well thought-out, reasonable responses I’ve seen on here in quite some time.
Your name doesn’t do you justice..lol
Also, I tend to agree with your assessment of Fields. I don’t really feel he’s gotten a fair shake on a team that hasn’t really had their act together offensively or really done a good job surrounding him with talent.
I’ve watched a good bit of Fields’ career in Chicago, and he does have a hard time letting go of the ball. Now, that isn’t always entirely on the QB. It very well could be the scheme, and it could also be his primary reads struggling to get separation and getting open..
With the lack of continuity, and the lack of weapons I’m still willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, especially considering despite all of that he still showed growth.
Maybe he isn’t a good NFL QB, but much like yourself, I’m reserving judgment until I think he’s actually set up for success.
There are some good QBs that have had their careers ruined before they even had a shot to succeed in the NFL. It is all about your landing spot. Your coaches, your ability to grow and develop, and the guys around you make all the difference in the world, especially in today’s NFL.
First, thanks for the kind words!!They made my day!! My wife would disagree with you…she thinks my username fits me perfectly!!! LOL I do try always to be “well thought-out” and “reasonable,” so your compliment especially gratifies me. Unfortunately, I’m disappointed in myself after reading your take, “…It is all about your landing spot.” Succinct and spot-on. So true. I wish I had said it myself. You wonderfully demonstrate the adage, “Brevity is the soul of wit.” Kudos to you. And thanks again.
4 years used to be the standard “he is what he is “ demarcation
Not a terrible QB, he’s an inconsistent QB.
The bears were tanking for two seasons and are rebuilding. You expect they didn’t go to bowl because of fields? No worthy wide receivers and revolving door of defense coaches. Fields was good. Just not much talent around him. What a bust of a trade.
And of course, just want I’d expect a Packers fan to say. One is closer to a bust…Pickett or Fields. Easy.
Agreed 100%
This trade shows how the rest of the NFL values him and you still think the Bears should’ve kept him over the top prospect falling into their lap. Amazing.
I think this is more about the Bears being a garbage organization than him. I’m a world where Howell can net the Commanders a 4th and 6th getting a conditional 4th is a joke.
So the other teams in need of a QB are all morons and should have offered a 5th?
I think if they weren’t so greedy for a first or second round pick and simply traded him before the QB market was settled they could have easily gotten a 3rd or 4th. It’s no different than what’s going on in baseball where Snell and Montgomery are still free agents because Boras got greedy with the asking prices.
No way he suddenly went from first or second round value to a sixth in a couple of weeks.
This isn’t necessarily how the rest of the NFL values him. It’s possible the Bears overvalued him and was asking for more than he’s worth (like maybe a 2nd rounder) and teams weren’t willing to go quite that high. Then every team that could have been a landing spot went in a different direction, forcing the now desperate Bears to unload him for a conditional 4th because Pittsburgh was the only game in town remaining.
You have to remember that the Bears front office doesn’t have a great track record and possibly overplayed their hand.
Your analysis of the possible dynamics involved here could be spot-on. Nice job.
I would apply the most obvious explanation the rest of the league saw someone with inconsistent accuracy who takes way too many sacks. Not a huge market for those kind of players.
Your take is also a possibility. Perhaps you’re right. I just thought rct did a nice job explaining how the dynamics of the market for Fields MAY have gone. It gave me, at least, something to think about.
rct… I can see how my comment sounds like I was saying he had first or second round value. I honestly don’t know. I think most of his supposed first/ second round value has been pushed by the sportswriters on here and many other sites. Poles never once stated what he thought. In the end, he was worth what the market would bear. I hope he does well..
That’s probably why you aren’t an NFL GM.
You can’t build a winner under Fields, they tried for the past 3 seasons. He’s not a top tier QB. Now they’ll have a cheap QB for a few years and still have draft capital to surround him with quality. Not ideal to get only a 6th pick but at least there’s new hope in Chicago. I believe Caleb will be the answer to what the Bears have been missing for a long time.
Because a team like the Bears with a terrible oline and team couldn’t win with him doesn’t mean that he can’t win elsewhere. The most extreme example in history is Steve Young. Look at how he played as a Buccaneer. If a HoF Super Bowl winning QB can look like trash with a badly run team then how do you expect the average QB to play.
I think the terrible OLine thing is a misconception, they’ve been middle of the pack metric wise for the last two years. Darnell Wright is good. Their weak point was center which they somewhat fixed with at least someone a bit better.
Caleb is giving off Ryan Leaf vibes long before the draft. Chicago should trade for Zach Wilson to at least get a veteran under center. The Jets can always use the draft choices.
Wow, you must work for the Jets. Your username doesn’t help drawing suspicion away, either…
The only veteran QB in Chicago right now is Brett Rypien and he’s a career backup.
I agree with the OP, Chicago has set the wheels in motion to make a massive mistake. Williams isn’t the guy. He has all the physical tools, yes. I personally don’t believe he’s a leader though. I don’t believe he can handle pressure either.
Is Fields perfect? No. I’m not saying he’s the best QB in the league, or ever will be. He is a leader, though. He’s mature. His teammates like him. I’d take that at QB every Sunday and figure the rest out.
I have to agree with you, @Appalachian_Outlaw.
If you think setting your QB up for success is constantly changing his offensive scheme, giving him DJ Moore, Mooney, and Kmet as his weapons, and giving him a mediocre at best OL, then you’re either just a completely biased and blinded Bears supporter, you’re just not that intelligent, or some mixture of the two.
Maybe Fields might have failed even with a solid supporting cast and a level of consistency within the organization, but there’s no way anyone can say he was actually set-up for success.
He would have had to play like a top 5 QB to even remain consistently competitive, and if that’s your expectations of your young QB, then you’re going to be significantly disappointed WAY more often than not.
For better or worse, Fields should at least have some consistency in Pittsburgh. He’s a very solid young man, and he’s a great leader of men. Much like yourself, if it came down to it, I’ll happily lose my money betting on a guy like that.
No one has ever said Fields wasn’t a great kid with a solidly pro attitude. But the entire league just showed what they think of him as a modern NFL QB. He simply hasn’t shown he can be a consistent passer at this level and that’s what the game demands now And yes, I wish him the best..
Correct move on both sides here
Wow! That was unexpected
I completely agree. Thought they were going with Russ.
lol. They are. Fields is a backup.
Fields will backup Russ dude
Stole him
Is that why they’re called the Steelers?
You stole a bust for a 6th rounder…..if you can convert him a rb/wr type of player maybe you got something. Until he gives up pretending he’s a nfl qb, then it’s a pretty even trade.
You could have gotten Josh Rosen for less
No. Better then getting nothing when they cut him
I still trade down and take a different QB and add more assets. 6th round? That was the best they could get? Really?
You are surprised that a not very good QB with 1 year left didn’t bring in anything? The people that thought he was going to bring in a 2nd were out of their minds.
I think it was.
They overplayed their hand.
The market dried up quickly.
At that price i would have dealt #1 overall and built up the roster best I could. Give fields 1 more year and he either sinks or swims. Most likely sinks but least you’d be in a better position to draft a QB and next years free agent class is better.
No way, keep the pick. You get the rookie contract this year to build around instead of a $25M option next season. Next years draft class at QB is very weak. Next years QBs wouldn’t sniff top 20 this year.
The “still would’ve shouldve guy”! LOL
Allen isn’t enough to finish the WR room. They still need an Edge. Now you’re committed to a QB somewhere in the 1st round. And you have no Cap space. Well almost no cap space. You save 6 million on Fields. You can save another 7 with Borom, Blasingame and Jones Jr. So 13 million isn’t going to get very far and plus there’s nobody left. So QB with 1, WR or Edge with 1A, and now I suspect it will be an Edge at 1A. So what are you gonna get in the 3rd and 4th? Projects probably. Sorry but you still need more help than you have assets.
Maybe they can get Allen to sign an extension and then pass money down the road but that gets to be a bad habit. Johnson already signed a friendly extension for this year so there’s not much to be done here. Right now after Martin they have 67 guys. 4 draft picks make 71. Teams go to camp with 90. So you’re going to sign 19 UDFA’s? And what are you going to get out of that?
19 UdFAs isn’t that high of a number for training camp – it’s probably a little higher than average, but that is essentially a practice squad.
The way a salary cap works is top 53 salaries, so there may be a few free agents that might not count towards the cap if they are in the 1.5 million range.
The trade down from one idea makes even less sense than it did before.
I would rather have a sixth round draft choice than Fields. Brady was a sixth rounder. Obviously, a sixth rounder isn’t a guaranteed Brady, but I would rather have the lottery ticket than Fields, and apparently, so would the Bears!
Mac Jones was had for a 6th too. It’s the 5th year option that’s a big problem.
Difference is Mac Jones sux… Fields doesn’t suck as much.
No, Fields sucks.
Hell…Mac Jones is 18-24 as a starter. Fields is 10-28.
Just because Fields can run doesn’t mean he’s any good as a QB. Just means that he’s a typical college star qb that can’t rely on physical attributes to succeed in the NFL like he could against a bunch of amateurs his own age.
Yeah, I know Jones has worse press, but I can’t see where Fields has outperformed him at the end of the day.
I do think that we should note that their situations were different-apparently New England was much more eager to move on than Chicago was, as evidenced by their quick deal for a lower pick. The Bears may have helped their situation by setting a lower demand for Fields.
What a steal
Budum tss
For all of you delusionals that insisted Fields was worth a huge haul, enjoy.
Fleeced again by the Steelers. Similar to Claypool for 2nd rounder. Wowzer!
Claypool wasn’t worth a 2nd round pick. Bears won that deal.
Umm you do know the bears are the ones that gave the 2nd round pick to the Steelers for Claypool right?
Dumbass. Bears gave up the 2nd
Wowzer? You know who the Steelers got, right?
Yes, Joey Porter Jr. It always helps to know who the actual draftee was.
A conditional 6th. Brutal
Salary dump of $25 million from an organization that suddenly has $2 billion for a new stadium.
Russell Wilson should have signed with tbe Giants
What are the Steelers doing
Upgrading their QB room. Wilson is the starter. In the meantime, they’ll see if they can teach Fields to play quarterback. They’re not picking up that fifth year option by the way. This makes it certain since they traded tube socks for him.
Okay, I guess that makes sense
They couldn’t teach Kenny Pickett Mason Rudolph Mitch Trubinsky to play QB but they’re going to teach Fields.
I didn’t say it would be successful. Trubisky is what he is, a backup. Everyone and their mother knew Pickett wasn’t a first rounder, and then he proceeded to show it on the field through 24 games. When you have worse passing stats than Jamarcus Russell with a way better organization, there is no doubt what’s going on there. Couple it with the reported diva behavior, and it was an easy call to dump him.
Trubisky had more success with the Bears than Fields. This quarterback room is not much better. The Steelers have acquired 2 quarterbacks that are a combined 20-42 in the last 2 years. Certainly they don’t get all the blame but come on…..20-42 doesn’t exactly scream success
And yet, Deerhunter, it’s a much better tandem than they’ve had in years
This is what they wanted Pickett to do but his ego pushed him to the Eagles, where he’ll sit behind a good QB who’s younger than he is
So they have fields. Better QB, athlete and younger than Kenny
They’re going to let the kid sit and learn for a season or two. You don’t think Russ knew about this trade? Love it
I have no idea what Russ knew and when he knew it
Imagine Russell Wilson being concerned about Justin Fields or even Kenny Pickett before him for that matter, especially on the minimum salary he’s on.
I’d say Dick Shiner, Terrier. But I’d put Pickett in that category, too
Steelers source has said Fields is not coming here to compete, but learn.
Russell Wilson is no more a starter than Fields. Now the Steelers have two QBs who don’t belong on the field. Hard to call this an upgraded room when it’s almost exactly the same.
So a 9-time pro bowler and Super Bowl champ (should have been two) is not an upgrade over a 1st round draft pick bust. Ok. Got it.
The Seahawks won based on the legion of boom defense and marshon lynch. Wilson was not the driving force behind their success, and nobody during that time believed he was. That was also many years ago. He is no longer a starting caliber NFL QB. Past success means nothing compared to the effects of time and abuse on the human body.
The Seahawks chose Geno Smith over Wilson, and the Broncos took at unprecedented cap hit just to get him out of the building.
Russel Wilson is a Super Bowl winning, pop-star marrying Quarterback who’s made more money than he could ever spend.
Those facts have nothing to do with who 2024 Wilson is. Sorry.
Also, where in my post did I proclaim Pickett belonged on the field? Try some reading comprehension.
Right after you graduate high school and take a logic class, pal. Between faulty reasoning and trying your best at being the swami of the site, what becomes most evident is you’re simply a contrarian with an axe to grind.
Steelers just won the offseason I’d say.
Yea they got 2 QB not wanted by their teams.. such a win
Considering what they had going on this is a definite improvement
It’s an improvement because Pickett is hot garbage sure.. but other teams garbage doesn’t make it a winning offseason.. if u got 2 QB mean u don’t have 1
They went 10-3 with either Pickett or Rudolph starting. So if they improve on 10-3 I would say that’s a pretty good offseason. Unfortunately this is the price of having a good coach and front office. They’re never bad enough to be at the top of the draft to pick the next great QB prospect. I would have happily sacrificed last season and had them go 1-16 if it meant having the opportunity to draft Williams. But with Tomlin and the surrounding structure they are never going to be that bad.
Did you watch the Steelers play last year? They went 10-3 with Pickett and Rudolph at QB last year, the former never putting up over 300 yards of offense as a starter until his last start. Their passing offense was painful to watch.
League minimum and a 6th rounder for two QBs that both teams would’ve kept. These days that’s a bargain.
Not yet. Need a splash receiver and I’ll agree.
Im guessing they’re going to draft a WR on day 2 to pair with Pickens.
They’re in the AFC, they’ll compete but they’re not sniffing postseason play beyond the Wild Card round anytime soon UNLESS either of their QB’s improve dramatically.
They won the offseason by acquiring 1 QB so bad his team is taking an NFL Record Dead Cap charge to release him, and another QB so bad that a cpl years after spending a boatload of draft capital to take him his team was willing to ship him out for the 180th-200th best player in this year’s draft
Yeah sounds like Steelers really really “won” the offseason.
As many other commenters have said, the Steelers made the playoffs with Kenny Pickett who has arguably the worst stats as a starting QB and Mason Rudolph who sat the bench since coming into the league. This QB room is way better than what they had and they also improved the other side of the ball. I wouldn’t call them Super Bowl contenders but they could make some noise with even adequate QB play.
I don’t understand people. Fields is not a good quarterback. Poles got what he could and is moving on. Now on to the draft.
He’s not competing for anything. He’ll be holding a clipboard next year.
Kordell returns.. slash II
You’re joking, but that would be a good idea for Smith to use him in that way this year for sure, and he should embrace that role.
Only place that makes sense.
Pretty shrewd move. Fields can sit for a year and learn from Russ. Maybe take over sometime in the future. Has a team ever said, “screw it, get rid of all 3 of our QBs” and then replace them with two starting level vets?
Fields will be a free agent next year. He’s gonna sign where he’ll have a chance to start. That’s not Pitt unless Wilson struggles
Ask Jameis Winston how that’s gone, and he’s way more accomplished than Justin Fields. About 90% of the league runs a system, a variation of the Shanahan passing game, that doesn’t value him. His best bet will be to stick with Pittsburgh, soak up game from a stable situation, and wait his turn like Geno Smith did while working behind Wilson in Seattle.
They are going to decline his option?
Why on earth would they not? He’s a backup
I would settle down. The Broncos ate $85 million in dead money to get rid of RW and Fields is only worth a sixth round draft choice. The broncos and Bears are both terrible and would rather not have those guys around, so…
The Broncos didn’t want to pay him. That’s their problem. He’s still a good starting QB, especially for vet minimum.
The Broncos were willing to sacrifice 40% of the NFL Salary Cap this year to not have him on their team
Turning that into “he’s a good starting qb still” is…a stretch.
They sacrificed 100 million of their cap by releasing him? That’s incredible
I see you bought into the falicy that the Broncos were a QB away a couple of years ago. They were not.
Fallacy* I said nothing about the broncos
You just brought up that they released Wilson and took that record cap hit, so he must stink when actually none of that is true. He wasn’t the one giving up 70 points last year. The Broncos simply wanted to take some of his money back because the situation wasn’t what it was thought to be, that they were a QB away from being a Super Bowl contender, when anyone who had been watching Denver prior to Wilson’s arrival could have told you that wasn’t true, and he rightfully refused.
Umm, the Steelers didn’t get a single starting caliber QB… let alone two!
Wilson is done, he’s been done. Seahawks knew he was cooked years ago, and broncos found out the hard way.
Fields is not an NFL caliber QB, let alone starting caliber. He’s been the worst starter in the league every year he played.
I get Steelers fans grasping for any kind of hope, but this isn’t it.
Bears waited too long to move Fields and now get a 6th round pick for him and get to go thru agony watching Williams struggle his rookie year getting the Sam Howell treatment.
Moving him earlier wouldn’t have got them anything more. Fields is not worth more.
Mitchell Trubisky’s stats the first 3 years were better than Justin Fields. Now I don’t have to watch the emotionless Justin Fields who acts like he doesn’t love the game.
Trubisky was just about acceptable in Chicago, but by far and away the worst QB in Pittsburgh since the dark days of Brister and Malone.
Fields can’t possibly be worse than MT as a backup.
Trubisky had a Super Bowl level roster a couple of years he was there. The Bears had the best defense in the league Nagy’s first year there, and they lost at home to the Eagles on a missed kick. Context is important. Fields was in a bad situation with one of the worst rosters in the league and coaches who didn’t build the system around him, but he still has a lot of improvement to make.
Lmao they finally did it! Poles overplayed his hand I can’t stop laughing !!!!
He couldn’t have overplayed a hand when he never had a hand to begin with. God your takes are terrible. Why continue?
My favorite fan is back lmao
😉
Steelers fans going from Pickett and Rudolph to Wilson and Fields in less than 48 hours has to be like a fever dream.
I’m too dizzy to celebrate just yet. We’ve had more free agency transactions in the last week than we did in the previous 25 years.
Bound to happen. Fields should be worth more than this, but his fifth year option decision is due this season and no one was jazzed about guaranteeing him starter money for 2025 right now. I think he might still have a future as a so so starter, but awkward timing to trade him.
People keep claiming Fields is worth more, yet can’t point to a single factor beyond his draft slot as to why.
He’s a young quarterback with tools and ability that flash sometimes. People have paid more for flyers on less.
This begs the question of how Pittsburgh will evaluate whether to pay him if he sits on the bench all season.
So now they have 2 mediocre QB’s. Solid
Mediocre nevertheless, but much better than you’ll ever be. You’re just a loser commenting. Go eat your calzone and get back to mom’s basement.
Mom made calzones? Solid
It’s comments like this that have no place here. Obviously you’re not seeing any NFL players on this board. If you thought you were having dialogue with people good enough to be professional athletes, I have a newly renovated bridge with amenities to sell you. The schools in the area are great. They even teach people what the word “opinion” means.
I don’t necessarily agree with everything everyone here says, but this type of comeback is ridiculous. We’re here to talk football. If you don’t like it, that’s your issue.
If you thought you were having dialogue with people good enough to be professional athletes, I have a newly renovated bridge with amenities to sell you.
==========================
I love the people that think “you’re not as good a QB as Fields” has any meaning whatsoever.
Mediocre? That’s a bit optimistic…
Better than three bad quarterbacks.
Lol and bears fans thought they were gonna get a first for him
I wish him well and part of me hopes Fields pans out where ever he goes (whether he sticks with the Steelers in his year 5 or moves on via FA). He never got a real chance in this dysfunctional Bears org until 2023 and many people used that as an excuse to dump on him (and using 2022 against him was the height of ignorance, it being the year where he was really the only player on offense and there was a non-existent defense to hold whatever lead they could manage then).
As for the Bears said dysfunctional org, Its solely on them now, and I do not trust them to make the right pick here. Williams may pan out, but really the odds- and red flags- scream bust.
I also do not see enough improvement on this Bears O line to see Williams not running for his life and making the same mistakes Fields did and, worse yet, throwing more picks. I guess all of these anti Fields people will love it though, another chance to dump on the next Bears QB.
Now the Steelers have two awful QBs
Hahahaha. Did you just wake up? A thousand miles better than this time a month ago
Only two QBs have 100 or more interceptions + sacks taken over the last two seasons.
Now, both of them play for the Steelers.
Seems like someone’s a little bit jealous they’re both better than you, and make a far more amount of money than you’ll ever make. All the pizza, pies and calzones are now waiting for you in your mother’s basement. Enjoy.
Blow me where the pampers is
Wilson is not a happy camper
Washington gets a third and a fifth for Howell. Bears overplayed their hand.
Pick swaps. They sent back a 4th n 6th with Howell.
Still a third and a fifth.
Uh, no it isn’t. When you lose two picks to get two that are marginally better, it is inaccurate and demonstrably false to claim you received two picks in a trade for a player.
They move up 24 picks for the third and 27 for the sixth for a guy who would be their 3rd stringer. I stand by my comment.
It’s still a pick swap, not a pick acquisition. Words have meanings. The core of your statement isn’t necessarily wrong, just the wording/classification.
The core of your statement isn’t necessarily wrong
=================
No, it is still wrong. If the Raiders trade O’Connell + the #13 to Denver for the #12, they didn’t trade O’Connell for a #12. If what one excludes from a comment completely changes the meaning if the comment, then the omission is a mistake.
When Sultan posted “Washington gets a third and a fifth for Howell.”, I was truly astounded. That seemed like a great get for a 5th rounder who played badly. I actually had to look it up it seemed so crazy. So leaving out the exchange is obviously, obviously wrong.
Omar Khan could sell ice to the Inuit… and throw in a busted snow cone machine too.
He never got a real chance in this dysfunctional Bears org until 2023
====================
That might be true, but he had three good receivers in 2023 in Mooney, Moore, and Kmet, and didn’t do much.
Mooney being a ‘good receiver’.. thanks I needed that laugh today. You mean the guy that literally had a ball fall into his lap but could not hold it which also cost the Bears a win?
As for Kmet and Moore, but who were playing hurt (if not out for many plays) in a lot of their games. Moore still had a career year receiving this season, but I guess that Moore was throwing to himself all season?
Kmet, while better, has under achieved severely as a Bear, and was always looking like he was hurt out there.
There is a lot of blind rage toward Fields. I get he was not perfect, but he still has a lot of potential and I hope another org realizes it and benefits from tapping into it, as it appears people gave up on him after 2021 (which was a bad situation as well), especially when they were trying to use a train wreck of a team in 2022 to bury him.
The Mooney thing was funny.
Mooney being a ‘good receiver’.. thanks I needed that laugh today.
======================
I’m curious. How much did Mooney just get paid?
FWIW, I’m not down on Fields. It’s just incredibly bad timing. But I object to the idea of “if only he had better receivers”. There are lot s of QB s that have worse receivers to throw to.
Mooney got 39 million with 26 million guaranteed for 3 years. Ridiculous amount for a WR who couldn’t get any separation even though he played opposite a guy who was double and even triple teamed all the time. But then you have to realize Pace was involved and then it all makes sense.
I honestly hope I’m wrong but I have a feeling Chicago is going to find out why Caleb followed Riley from OU to USC.
Lincoln is The (NCAA) QB Whisperer.
Baker & Kyler were his other #1 Picks
Hell, Rattler’s stats at SC weren’t anywhere close to his numbers at OU
Again, hope I’m way off base
When’s the last time a first overall top prospect QB even panned out?
1998: it’s only been 26 years lol
That’s what worries me. The Bears really have put all of their eggs into a basket that could easily fall to pieces, like many a #1 drafted player, let alone a QB.
It would be so “Bears’ for Fields to become something in Pittsburgh and take them to the playoffs for the next 10 seasons and watching Williams wash out after 2.
Andrew Luck.
If not for injuries he was well on his way to a stellar career.
And yes. Injuries derailing a career is different than a guy not living up to draft status.
That’s a big part of his story though. Hypotheticals don’t count.
Joe Burrow
Joe Burrow is doing okay for himself.
Goff, Murray, Burrow, and Lawrence are all fine. Folks are forgetting that every position has washouts.
Especially QBs. I think the cardinal sin amongst all pro sports is they fail to account for if the player also matches what they want to do. Many have the idea of ‘well we will work him into what we want’ when a lot of players simply cannot do that. Its likely another reason why players bust (aside from the anxiety level depending on the situation they are drafted into and the stress put on them to be good immediately).
The other sin with QBs is they do not have any chance to learn. Most QBs likely need a tutor and to sit on a bench for a season or two but with the way FA works and rookie contracts it really screws that idea up.
Fields value dropped dramatically. I wouldn’t be surprised if Fields takes the #1 job by mid season. Wilson is washed.
Poles has CTE
This will be remembered as a historical mistake by the Bears, especially if they end up drafting Caleb Williams. Williams is going to be an epic bust, probably rivaling Ryan Leaf. The Chicago media will end up eating Williams alive by the end of his 2nd year.
Yeah, but how fair is it to expect any QB to be good for the Bears let alone the savior? They are an epic laughing stock, and it’s now been 40 years since that wasn’t true. It’s not an indictment of the fanbase or the players, it’s just horrible mismanagement.
Practice doesn’t make perfect, it makes permanent. It can take years for the bad habits and culture players learn on teams like the Bears to be undone, if it’s undone at all.
I don’t think it matters who they draft. If Mahomes had been drafted by the Bears you can guarantee he wouldn’t be the dominant player he is with the Chiefs
This was one of my reasons for sticking with Fields. The Bears just have never been driven by QB play when they’re successful.
Bears fans think every qb suited up is their savior, despite a missing o line or defense.
Brian bosworth was a bust.
Fields has talent and has played in the nfl. The tragedy is the large contract option the bears gave him.
Why the hell would Pittsburgh do this?! On the surface, meatball homers are planning a parade but when you break it down this subtraction by addition.
You trade Kenny to give a clean slate, an easy runway for Russ. THEN you turn around and bring in another dude on a 1 yr contract(more on this in a second) to compete with him. BOTH guys are essentially competing for their careers.
Fields has a huge 25+ mil option for ‘25 that must be decided by THIS May, before they even get to camp. No chance that’s getting picked up.
So now, the first time one of them has a bad game, the fanbase, locker room etc… will be divided.
Those meatball homers thinking Russ will stick around for a year and mentor Fields for the future aren’t grasping the actual situation. Once that option is declined, Fields will ALSO be a FA next year. He won’t be under control by the Steelers.
So all this deal does is create muddy waters in what was a very clean situation. Russ already has a bad rep in the locker room, now his teammates that don’t support him to begin with will be cheering for Fields. It’s a mess.
For Chicago, this was a no brainer. They want to give Caleb a clean runway and all the support to realize his potential. No QB controversy, no drama. Once they fleeced CAR and lucked into this pick, Fields was gone. They woulda just released him before the draft.
First off, we’re yinzers. If you’re gonna insult Pittsburghers, at least get your terminology right. Secondly, where did the “locker room cancer” comments come from. I’m curious. All I can find is that great bastion of congeniality, Marshawn Lynch, discussing how Russ wouldn’t talk to him Oh, and of course Sean Payton, perhaps the most overrated coach in the NFL, castigating Wilson and benching him because he wouldn’t restructure his contract. Where else is the drama you write of? I’ve been looking for it. Pete Carroll? Nope.
I blew coffee through my nose at your “muddy waters in what was a very clean situation” comment. You obviously don’t watch the Steelers. Very clean? From Roethlisberger overextending his career a couple years, to his absolute refusal to help his heir apparent, to Rudolph and the Garrett lies, to Duck Hodges, to lies told to Trubisky and Rudolph to the prima donna of little talent, Pickett, just where have been things looked “very clean?”
The mediocrity here has been just fine for fellow yinzers who think the annual winning record boast is cool, but to fans who’d like a bit more it’s been torturous
Clearing out the QB room is a breath of fresh air. Getting rid of malcontent Diontae Johnson, a step worthy of a standing ovation
Maybe you’ll be proven right about Wilson and Fields. Maybe, but doubtful. All Steelers fans wanted to see was a management team committed to at least trying to live up to “the standard” that is so often talked about here. It’s been lip service for years
But thanks for the insights. And the try at an insult
Spot on. Tomlin and this new QB plan needs to go. This should do it. This year will be a train wreck and fans will revolt.
People need to stop using ‘fleeced’ incorrectly. Fleecing implies one party pulled a fast one on the other to gain an advantage in a trade or deal (or swindled them).. How did the Bears ‘fleece’ Carolina? How did they act in bad faith? They did not.
Both parties agreed to a deal, the league approved it. It was bad luck that Carolina was bad enough to allow the Bears to get the 1st overall.
It was bad luck that Carolina was bad enough to allow the Bears to get the 1st overall.
====================
Another of thinking about it is “what if Carolina had drafted Stroud and finished 10-7 like Houston did?”. Then folks would’ve said the Bears got fleeced.
Caleb Williams has BUST written all over him.
I’d try and swap w Washington–move back and take Maye or Daniels, or wait and take McCarthy at 9 or Penix at 75.
No matter what I am staying far from Williams.
Maye, Daniels and McCarthy are going to be playing in the NFL long after Caleb is out of the league.
I agree. I have doubts about JJ like everyone does, but I still think he’s gonna have a better NFL career than Williams. JJ has all the physical gifts Caleb has, he’s just never been asked to do a ton. He needs reps working on progressions and reading NFL defenses…but there is little doubt that he is a genuine Leader and has that *it* factor all the great QBs have.
I can’t put my finger on it, but something about Williams doesn’t sit with me. His fundamentals would fall apart in “pressure time”, and the whole way he–and his father–deal with the media is just offputting. Lincoln Riley’s QBs haven’t exactly killed it in the NFL neither.
Penix is really talented but injury prone, he is the real life ‘Mr. Glass’
Not sure why so many people are sleeping on Bo Nix. Watch some of his tape, the guy can put the ball anywhere it needs to be.
Denver should take him at 12.
Caleb Williams is Justin Herbert 2.0.
Will put up numbers but, at end of the day, never win a damn thing of importance
I’ll check back with you in 15 years. If neither of them have won anything of importance I will buy you a beer.
Great, meanwhile if the team guesses wrong they are set back years, but hey a beer will make up for it…
Absolutely no one could succeed on these recent Bears teams.
Will Fields pan out? I wouldn’t bet a ton on it, but he’s got talent.
Will Wilson rebound? I wouldn’t bet a ton it, but…well, actually I’m less optimistic than others on him, but…he’s done it before.
Having two iffy bets is significantly better than one iffy bet.
And it cost nothing to get him and it doesn’t matter if he’s overpaid because Wilson is so cheap.
Pickett let one good throw against the Raiders and a few #1 Cochran commercials turn him into a soft prima donna who couldn’t hit open receivers. It would be hard for one of these two to not be an upgrade.
Here’s the key, though…make it a REAL competition. Make each of them earn it.
66TheNumberOfTheBest • 8 mins ago
Absolutely no one could succeed on these recent Bears teams.
=======================
Just out of curiosity, where do you rank Moore, Mooney & Kmet. They aren’t any worse worse than league-average, and probably a good bit better than that.
Again.. Mooney is a joke, anyone who has actually watched Bears games can attest to this. Maybe he will prove me wrong in Atlanta, but doubt it. Moore and Kmet played hurt a lot and while Moore still had a career year (apparently he threw to himself all season) Kmet was playing injured a LOT, and while better, still has never been the guy that he should be.
Mooney is a joke,
==================
Again, Mooney is getting $39M/3. That feels like an overpayment to me, but when teams feel that is the right price, that makes him a pretty good WR.
Mooney clearly lost something after an injury either last season or the one previously, I cannot recall when exactly, but he ain’t the same guy he was when he came into the league. As for the contract? Ryan Pace is in that Atlanta org, it does not mean that giving all of that money to him is a good idea.To be honest its seems desperation now, but even if he does better, is that really due to Fields being bad, or an OC not scheming well enough?
Mooney may turn out to be a good player for Atlanta, but for the Bears he lost something. ‘Joke’ may have been too harsh, but he was not much of an option in 2023 and again cost the Bears a win in that Cleveland game
I won’t pretend to have watched much of the Bears lately, but…there is a reason they are picking high year after year, no?
Bad coaching, bad line, bad culture, etc.
Or are they a great team but Fields alone was holding them back?
This was my rationale for keeping him. My projection of wins for them this last season was 8-9, and they finished 7-10, and it would have been better if not for the defense. He was not the problem, but he does need improvement even past the idiotic coaching of not building an offense around him. Also, the people talking up Moore do need to realize there was a reason he had a career year with Fields. It’s no coincidence since Fields is very similar to Cam Newton in skill set, which obviously is the type of QB he’s most comfortable with. So I wouldn’t be surprised if he takes a step back with Williams.
Bad coaching, bad line, bad culture, etc.
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All of the above, but not so much recently.
I thought Nagy was a bad coach, and his handling of Fields was abysmal. I’m not sold on Eberflus either, but imho, Nagy was only surpassed by McDaniels and Staley.
But the current Bears aren’t bad. I’m not 100% sold on Poles either, but trading the #1 to Carolina and giving Fields another year was the right move, and the trade/extension for Sweat was major. I’d be buying on Bears futures if there was a market for such things. They only need a DE, #2/3 WR, and maybe an upgrade at center.
You’re focused on the receivers, but the offensive line stunk.
Getting anything for Fields at this point is considered a victory.
Wow. This should be an interesting season, but the Steelers better draft a top center and some more protection for these guys on the line. Looking forward to this season more since before Ben retired. Go Steelers!
Regardless of what anyone thinks about fields, the Steelers are in a better position now with him and Wilson then they were last year. They have acquired a third round pick, Justin fields, and Russel Wilson and gave up a 6, and two 7’s.
Great maneuvering. They’ve set themselves up to be a better team with minimal investment.
Really well done.
Absolutely not in a better position. Fields is horrible. Tomlin is a dope for buying in on this. He’s jealous of Lamar. And look at what that running back at quarterback does— throws pics late in playoff games.
He’s jealous of Lamar?
First, he’s 7-1 against Baltimore in his last 8
Second, get back to us when Lamar wins the big one.
You’re not “jealous” of being second best
Can Russ’ ego handle the competition?
I see a lot of talk about the 5th year option business-can Pitt do something like GB did with Love, and avoid the big money commitment but still tack on an extra year or 2?
Or they could just re-sign him for the cheap this time next year since he obviously has no starting prospects, seeing that nobody traded anything of note for him. Sit and wait for a 36 year old to finish his career or go out and roll the dice with a league that 90% of the coaches don’t believe in building an offense around your skill set. That’s a tough one.
No.
All ready been stated that there is no QB controversy in Pittsburgh as Fields will be a back up. Now you have Wilson the lock room cancer and Fields who just wants to be a back up. By the way…Trubisky had better stats than Fields in his first three years.
I can see Fields in the wildcat or lining up in the backfield for trick plays and as a decoy….
He’s gonna play a lot. Lol but
How did they only ask for a 6th round pick? Wasn’t there talk about the bears getting like 6 picks and plus a player?
If the money were similar I’d much rather have Fields than Williams now that the Bears finally got some better personnel and much better OC.
I think this says more about how horrible the Bears are at evaluating talent than anything else. As I said in a different post, this will be the THIRD franchise QB the Bears will be drafting in the past SIX years. Really? You’re drafting your franchise QB for the THIRD TIME? And there is enough discussion around Williams that’s not just pre-draft blather to wonder if he can be that long-term franchise-type QB. So, if and when he fails, will it be the Bears fault or will it be because he was severely over-hyped?
At all the Bears fans that were so confident they were keeping him and he was that guy
The Steelers have lost their minds.
If Fields only netted the Bears a sixth, the Jets may need to keep Zach as the emergency QB since no one knows for sure what Aaron Rodgers will do about this RFK, Jr. thing. I doubt even Aaron knows for sure. That contract is guaranteed to Zach. Not that I would want to see him get anywhere near the field, at least the offensive line will be less likely to put the QB’s life/career in jeopardy this year..
I’m pretty highly skeptical about that RFK nonsense. Florio’s pretty obsessed with Aaron Rodgers (he’s written two gossip columns about Rodgers being, in Florio’s mind, a Sandy Hook denier just this week), but I doubt that Rodgers leaves football this year to join a presidential ticket that pulls less than 5% of votes.
So, no, as much as that would make Florio’s day (in fact, most of the Aaron Rodgers conspiracy stuff comes from speculative articles authored by Mike Florio, or articles citing Florio-not all, but most), I doubt that he leaves the Jets. The Wilson saga there ended badly enough that I doubt that the team is happy trotting him out again, either. If the Jets REALLY need a veteran quarterback, chances are that they’d sign another free agent (likely a young guy, but Tannehill is still hanging around).
CNN was first to report about Rodgers being a Sandy Hook denier. He was chatting up a CNN reporter in 2013 at the Kentucky Derby, a major social as well as sporting event. And CNN prides itself as a news organization of record.
BTW the Jets do have another veteran QB as they signed Tyrod Taylor early last week.
I saw an interview with the reporter to whom Rodgers’ spewed his Sandy Hook was a hoax diatribe. They were at the Kentucky Derby when Rodgers found out she was in the media and came up to her ranting and spewing his lunatic BS.
I’ve goofed on Rodgers for years now for being a narcissist and a weirdo and a D bag, but turn out he’s a truly epic piece of human dog ****.
I hope he only lasts one snap this year.
It’s a hearsay report that Rodgers has denied. Given that I was not there, and there is nothing to support it other than someone’s recollection, I’ll not treat it as fact at this time. Florio is still obsessed with it, though it has nothing to do with football.
If you trust CNN implicitly to be 100% accurate, or any American news organization for that matter, that’s your prerogative. This should not be interpreted along political lines-this goes for any reporting agency. At its heart, this report has no substantive evidence. Rodgers, for his part, has denied it and has said nothing about RFK. Until he does, or I see anything at all about it from his mouth, I will expect him to play football next season.
That didn’t prevent NYC tabloid diva Mike “It’s All About The Quarterback” Lupica from frothing about Rodgers this weekend. The same Lupica who helped run Saquon Barkley out of New York.
Lupica files his Sunday column on Saturday morning, thus he telegraphed his position well before Chicago pulled off that Saturday night special of a trade.
Has Rodgers walked back his slander of Jimmy Kimmel?
Given that he falls for every other dimwitted anti-social conspiracy he can find, the report is more than plausible.
According to whom? A lot of things are secondary reporting and we take them as fact. Do I believe that Rodgers believes crazy stuff? Seems like it. But is relevant to football? This RFK thing could be, but it’s so undocumented and speculative source-wise that I can’t treat it as fact. So, no, I don’t concern myself with feeding the rumor mill (that Rodgers seems to enjoy provoking). Besides, it’s not like Kimmel hasn’t made a living making presumptive jokes about others himself…
Like I said, if I see him say it, or I see it documented, I’m expecting Rodgers to play. Quite honestly, the only issue that is relevant here is whether he’s going to play. This is a football site, after all. Whatever our opinion on Rodgers’ personal character is is a separate discussion. For my part, I’m only interested in how it affects his football availability. Whether or not Rodgers believes conspiracy theories is ultimately secondary to that discussion.
So, for my part, unless I see him validate or even comment on his RFK run, I’ll treat it as rumor. It’s easy to believe things about Rodgers, and he’s a popular topic for rumors, so I’ll wait and see if that will become relevant. Until then, he’s the quarterback for the Jets. That’s pretty much the extent of my opinion-and Florio’s obsession with Rodgers’ beliefs (not just in this case) keeps giving life to more of it. I’d rather deal in documented fact than Florio’s opinionated gossip mongering.
Exactly, Kimmel makes jokes so it’s OK to slander him and all those dead Sandy Hook kids were “crisis actors” anyway so it’s OK to defile them.
Rodgers is trash. Utter trash.
But, even I who think he’s mentally ill trash, don’t think he’s crazy or dumb enough to do that, don’t worry…he’ll be in camp to collect his money.
That’s the thing-nobody ever said that. If someone did, then please show it. Rodgers said that he was making a joke, as Kimmel frequently does. Was it funny? No. Was it relevant? No. Was it insulting? Yes. But Kimmel makes unfunny, irrelevant, and insulting jokes about people that he dislikes all the time. Rodgers did say later that he doesn’t think that Kimmel is a pedophile and acknowledged that he wasn’t on “the list” in question. Rodgers took offense to Kimmel’s jokes about Rodgers for being unvaccinated, and as we know, Rodgers likes his grudges. It’s fairly hypocritical to be offended when the same happens to him (and the same would go for Rodgers). It’s high school level drama by two people who each think that he should be immune to the same treatment. And it has nothing to do with football.
I think that the last thing I will say is that, on the relevant issue, it sounds as if we are in agreement. Rodgers will be in on the season. Whether or not he will be successful is, in my opinion, a better discussion.
Kid is just not an NFL starting QB….just the facts
Wish williams would now say. I don’t want to be next quarterback the bears screw up.
The issue with Fields is not his physical ability, but the mental. He has no instincts or anticipation as a passing QB. You could almost say he over processes his reads and maybe this is because he’s quite smart-acing the Wunderlic score. The other piece is his demeanor..he shows very little emotion and I’m not sure if this is because his epilepsy medication, but seems he can’t change gears when needed to lead a team.
This organization just lost my respect. This is foolishness.
It cost Pittsburgh almost nothing to take a flyer on Fields.
If they can’t turn him into a real QB, they’ll let him walk.
“Rather than Fields entering his first offseason with the team in an opportunity to take over the No. 1 role, it will be Wilson handling starting duties, as reported by both Rapoport’s colleague Tom Pelissero as well as Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Wilson being handed the reins was a key factor in the Pickett deal coming together as quickly as it did.”
UGH.
Why?
Why?
Why?
WHY on Earth would you HAND the job to a known prima donna who is over the hill and never going to be your future?
IF (big if, but if) Fields develops you could have your QB for the next decade.
Let them fight. Let them compete. It would only make them both better.
Fields’ winning the job is, by far, the best outcome for the Steelers. Give him a real chance.
Maybe Pittsburgh had to commit to Wilson that he’d be starting for him to sign.
Also, if he sucks, they can always bench him.
He had a real chance for four years in Chicago. I’m not sure why this is in dispute. Yes, the Bears were bad. But Fields still put tape out there. He was observed, and it wasn’t great. If Wilson is awful, he will be benched.
Caleb Williams will be a bigger bust than Ryan Leaf…he is a fragile mentality prima donna and Chicago will eat him up. He will throw his teammates under the bus and will never take responsibility for anything. Fields will be fine and Pittsburgh just got an insurance policy against Russell Wilson going south…which he will do.
The Bears are going to ride the arm of another choice at QB, they have pick 3 QB’s now in the last few years, none of them worked out. There has to be more to this than a QB. They have changed how many head coaches now. So, if this draft they pick another QB how long before they change coaches, if a 10-win season is not found the first year, then do they change QB’s again after this first contract expires and they are in the same boat as they were before. I think it is time to maybe look at changing ownership that is the only thing this franchise has not changed.
Now the Steelers are looking at Wilson as a tutor as well as a winning QB, getting him cheap, then they trade for Fields, acquired him rather cheap with a 6th in 2025 or the worse a 4th if he plays 51% of the season. Not costing Steeler a lot for a spin on the roulette wheel of QB’s. Have more faith in Fields than Wilson, Fields has a better upside if getting the right coaching, jury is still out on him though, Wilson is on the final glide path of his career in the NFL, you get what you get.
The challenge for Pittsburgh is do you pick up the $25M 5th year for Fields or play it out with both Wilson and Fields knowing you’re going to have to pay one of them $30M in 2025. These guys won’t be giving discounts because NFLPA won’t let that happen.
Contract negotiations take place between the GM and player agent. To my knowledge the NFLPA doesn’t have a representative sitting at the table. The union doesn’t generally get involved unless a grievance is filed after the contract is in place.
The absolute worst trade in the history of the Bears.. as a Lions fan I’m going to stick up for Fields. They trade up from 20 to 9 or 10 to get him and proceed to not give him any weapons on offense. He was their entire offense. Then a slap in the face move to finally get guys to help this offseason and they ship him to Pittsburgh for a 6th round pick. They should’ve traded him before free agency. They never would’ve got a first or second round pick for him. Fields is clearly better than Russ but I can see Pittsburgh opening up the offense for both of them. Russ will probably be the starter and a mentor for Fields something he never got in Chicago. I can see Pittsburgh using a NOLA style offense like they use with Taysom Hill.
Trading up to 11th probably isn’t going to get you an elite QB and the Bears have an inept history of being able to develop QBs anyway, so yes a bad move. Letting everyone know they were going after Williams in the upcoming draft basically killed any trade market for Fields. They got a 6th but the Steelers probably could have just waited for the Bears to release Fields. For some reason there are fans that believe Chicago will do a much better job developing Williams but history says they will continue to fail in that area.
I know there have been Tom Brady, Antonio Brown and Colin Kaepernick articles in this forum that drew in excess of 150 comments but I’m quite certain we are looking at a new record here. 250 responses to news about Justin Fields is rather mind boggling…lol.
The Bears had apparently had offers from several teams but Pittsburgh was where Fields preferred to go. Have to give the Bears credit for taking care of the player when it became apparent they were not going to get higher than a day three pick for him.
I know it’s very likely that the Bears will sign Williams, but I’m not comfortable about that all. I agree with others that say this will most likely be Ryan Leaf redux. I would rather they draft J.J. McCarthy.
Same here. Trade the #1 pick to Wash and draft Maye or McCarthy at #2. Williams is going to be an epic bust, might as well let him be Dan Quinn’s problem.
The Bears have been dysfunctional around development of their QB’s in the last few yrs , they were hoping he alone would be the savior . The kid was running for his life he had no OL , his receivers were mostly non existant , he was the offense . Both him & Wilson will do well in Pittsburgh , that organization has the pieces , structure to win games where as the Bears it appeared it was always a test run . The Bears started to bring some people in last yr , only to let Fields go. If they do draft Williams he may run into the same issues as Fields , as he has all the same talent/qualities . He will be running for his life & hanging on the ball for dear life. that 1.4 seconds becomes 3 seconds then becomes a sack