Justin Fields blocked trades earlier than touchdown with Steelers

NFL

By Jaclyn Hendricks

Former Bears quarterback Justin Fields needed Pittsburgh alone as his subsequent NFL residence.

Earlier than the Bears traded Subject to the Steelers on Saturday, 4 NFL groups inquired concerning the 25-year-old quarterback, whose camp “requested for him to not be traded there” as he “needed the Steelers,” NFL Community’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday.

The 4 suitors weren’t specified.

Fields’ transfer from Chicago got here someday after the Steelers traded third-year quarterback Kenny Pickett to the Eagles —the place he’ll now again up starter Jalen Hurts — within the wake of Pittsburgh agreeing to a one-year take care of Russell Wilson.

Wilson, who simply spent two disappointing seasons in Denver, welcomed Fields into the fold Saturday, posting on X: “Let’s get it @justnfields! QB room bout to be [fire emoji].”

Fields, the Bears’ tenth general decide within the 2021 NFL Draft, had been on the middle of commerce hypothesis for months as Chicago holds the highest decide on this 12 months’s draft and is anticipated to pick USC quarterback Caleb Williams.

The Bears all however confirmed their hand on Saturday by buying and selling Fields.

“Can’t say thanks sufficient to the town of Chicago for taking me in and embracing me,” Fields wrote in a farewell message Saturday. “Thanks to your complete Bears group and possession for permitting me the chance to be a part of such a historic franchise. However most of all thanks to my all my brothers that I performed with. You all had been the explanation I attacked every day the best way I did. I can’t thanks all sufficient for what y’all have meant to me during the last 3 years via the ups and downs. I want every one in all you nothing however success. Prepared for this subsequent chapter!”

The Steelers traded a conditional 2025 sixth-round decide for Fields which may turn into a fourth-rounder if the quarterback performs in 51 p.c of the snaps in 2024, in response to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Coming into Pittsburgh, Fields was instructed by Steelers coach Mike Tomlin that Wilson, 35, will begin, Sports activities Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported Saturday.

The primary week of NFL free company has been a rousing recreation of quarterback musical chairs.

Along with Fields and Wilson transferring to Pittsburgh, the Vikings noticed their now-former quarterback, Kirk Cousins, land with the Falcons on a four-year, $180 million contract.

Joe Flacco, coming off a playoff look with the Browns, joined the Colts on a one-year deal price as much as $8.7 million.

The Commanders and Patriots, who traded younger veterans Sam Howell and Mac Jones to the Seahawks and Jaguars, respectively, are projected to pick quarterbacks with picks two and three within the 2024 NFL Draft after Chicago at No. 1.