Justin Fields blocked trades before landing with Steelers

NFL

By Jaclyn Hendricks

Former Bears quarterback Justin Fields wanted Pittsburgh alone as his next NFL home.

Before the Bears traded Fields to the Steelers on Saturday, four NFL teams inquired about the 25-year-old quarterback, whose camp “asked for him not to be traded there” as he “wanted the Steelers,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday.

The four suitors were not specified.

Fields’ move from Chicago came one day after the Steelers traded third-year quarterback Kenny Pickett to the Eagles —where he’ll now back up starter Jalen Hurts — in the wake of Pittsburgh agreeing to a one-year deal with Russell Wilson.

Wilson, who just 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’ 10th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, had been at the center of trade speculation for months as Chicago holds the top pick in this year’s draft and is anticipated to select USC quarterback Caleb Williams.

The Bears all but showed their hand on Saturday by trading Fields.

“Can’t say thank you enough to the city of Chicago for taking me in and embracing me,” Fields wrote in a farewell message Saturday. “Thank you to the entire Bears organization and ownership for allowing me the opportunity to be part of such a historic franchise. But most of all thank you to my all my brothers that I played with. You all were the reason I attacked each day the way I did. I can’t thank you all enough for what y’all have meant to me over the last 3 years through the ups and downs. I wish each one of you nothing but success. Ready for this next chapter!”

The Steelers traded a conditional 2025 sixth-round pick for Fields which can become a fourth-rounder if the quarterback plays in 51 percent of the snaps in 2024, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Entering Pittsburgh, Fields was told by Steelers coach Mike Tomlin that Wilson, 35, will start, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported Saturday.

The first week of NFL free agency has been a rousing game of quarterback musical chairs.

In addition to Fields and Wilson moving to Pittsburgh, the Vikings saw their now-former quarterback, Kirk Cousins, land with the Falcons on a four-year, $180 million contract.

Joe Flacco, coming off a playoff appearance with the Browns, joined the Colts on a one-year deal worth up to $8.7 million.

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