Chicago Bears hit speed bump in post-Week 18 aftereffects of Justin Fields’ trade to Steelers
The Chicago Bears traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers in March. Pittsburgh sent the Bears a 2025 sixth-round pick that could have possibly turned into a fourth-rounder based on Fields' playing percentage.
With Fields playing just 36% of possible snaps this season, the Bears will stay with the sixth-round pick that Pitt sent, as he did not meet the 51% requirement.
Fields started the first six games for Pittsburgh this season as Russell Wilson was sidelined with a leg injury. Fields finished 4-2 as a starter, throwing for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception in 10 regular-season games while also running for 289 yards and five touchdowns.
He was benched once Wilson was healthy. The former Seahawks QB took over as the starter for the remainder of the season, going 6-5. Wilson finished the regular season throwing for 2,482 yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions in 10 games.
The Steelers will face their division rival, the Baltimore Ravens this Saturday on the road in Baltimore in the wild-card round. The Steelers have lost four straight and will look to end their streak.
What's next for Justin Fields?
Justin Fields and Russell Wilson are both in interesting situations. Neither quarterback was on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster last season, and as of right now, neither is set to be on their roster for next season.
The Steelers acquired Fields via trade with the Chicago Bears last offseason and signed Wilson as a free agent after he was released by the Denver Broncos.
Both quarterbacks showed flashes this season, but it was likely not enough to receive a lucrative contract like one that Sam Darnold might get this offseason.
It's unlikely the Steelers franchise tag either of their quarterbacks, so both Fields and Wilson should have the opportunity to speak to other teams during free agency.
With Fields being 11 years younger than Wilson, he may be a hotter free agent in the offseason.