The Pittsburgh Steelers had a messy departure with their quarterback Kenny Pickett this year. But the situation was different for the Chicago Bears, coach Matt Eberflus and Justin Fields.
had a lot of respect for each other this year. When the team traded the quarterback to the Steelers on March 16, Eberflus said a polite goodbye to Fields. Eberflus said he appreciated Fields' leadership, work ethic, and character, and told him he enjoyed their relationship and that it wouldn't end there.
He also mentioned that the special relationship they built will always be theirs. Eberflus coached Fields for two of his three seasons with the Bears, despite a lot of coaching changes.The Bears traded Fields to the Steelers this offseason as they prepared for their first No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft since 1947.
The Bears had the No. 1 pick in 2023 as well, but they traded it to the
Carolina Panthers
. This decision allowed Fields to remain the team's starter last season. This year, the Bears drafted USC quarterback Caleb Williams.
as the first overall pick. Bears, Matt Eberflus Did ‘Right’ by QB Justin FieldsWhile there was national debate about whether the Bears would actually trade Fields, it seemed inevitable that they would part ways with the 2021 first-rounder this year.
But in the months leading up to the trade, Bears general manager Ryan Poles emphasized that the team wanted to treat Fields fairly.
Poles and the Bears followed through on that promise.
ESPN’s Brooke Pryor reported
on March 29 that Chicago turned down a better offer for Fields in order to trade him to Pittsburgh. With the trade to the Steelers, Fields joined a 2023 playoff team in need of a quarterback. Even if Russell Wilson
starts in Pittsburgh this fall, there is a long-term opportunity at quarterback. Fields’ Second Chance With Pittsburgh Steelers Fields showed a lot of talent in three seasons with the Bears. However, he also made many costly mistakes and the team didn't win much.
In each of his three seasons, Fields averaged at least 5.3 yards per rushing attempt and at least 6.9 yards per pass.
While that's not a great average,
Pickett averaged
6.3 yards per pass in two seasons with the Steelers. Fields also threw 40 touchdowns and ran for 14 additional scores.
However, the Bears had a 10-28 record with Fields as their starter. Under Eberflus, Chicago had an 8-20 record with Fields as the starting quarterback. In 40 games, Fields threw
30 interceptions, was sacked 135 times, and fumbled 38 times. But with the Steelers, Fields will get a fresh start with new team offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Pittsburgh said no
to choosing to extend Fields’ contract for a fifth year, but The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac anticipated in April that
the team will make a long-lasting agreement with Fields , possibly even before the season starts. Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus shared with SI.com’s Albert Breer his final message to quarterback Justin Fields when the team traded him this offseason.
But with the Steelers, Fields will receive a second chance under new team offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Pittsburgh declined to pick up Fields’ fifth-year option, but The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac predicted in April that the team will sign Fields to a long-term extension, perhaps even before the season begins.
