One of the biggest questions the Chicago Bears face this offseason is what to do with the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Of course, this is the pick that they acquired from the Carolina Panthers when they trade wide receiver DJ Moore. It ended up being a steal for Chicago who ended the 2023 season with a top-10 pick themselves, but not a high enough one to take one of the premier quarterbacks.
Obviously, the second-biggest question (and one that relates to the first) the Bears face is what to do with quarterback Justin Fields. Do they give up on the former first round pick, or do they use their number one pick in 2024 to get him help on offense?Ezoic
As the weeks have gone by after Chicago’s regular season ended, the answer has become more and more apparent: they will attempt to trade Fields and draft a new quarterback, likely Caleb Williams out of USC.
But where would Fields go, and what could the Bears expect to get in return. One PFF trade proposal sees the former first round pick heading to the AFC North to replace another struggling quarterback.Ezoic
PFF Suggests the Chicago Bears Will Trade Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers
The notion that Fields could end up playing for the Steelers is not a wild one. In fact, the sports books in Las Vegas actually list them as the favorite to land the former Ohio State star. PFF suggests that Pittsburgh could give up the following package:Ezoic
Trade compensation: 2024 second-round pick (No. 52), 2025 fifth-round pick
Contract acquired: One year, $3.23 million fully guaranteed (plus fifth-year option for 2025)
They explain:
“Pittsburgh is one team looking for a legitimate competition at quarterback this offseason, with 2022 first-round quarterback Kenny Pickett not making the strides they’d hoped through two years, getting supplanted late in the season by third-stringer Mason Rudolph. Fields’ elite athleticism adds an entirely different dynamic to a Steelers offense that was quite stale in 2023, and he opens up the downfield passing game that has been lacking.”
Fields’ running abilities would certainly benefit the Steelers, and two games seeing him and Baltimore Ravens quarterback (and 2023 NFL MVP) Lamar Jackson would be absolutely thrilling. Additionally, Fields could benefit from a better offensive line in Pittsburgh than the one he had in Chicago.
Why This Justin Fields Trade Benefits the Chicago Bears
Obviously, this particular trade is good for Chicago because it clears the way for Williams (or whichever quarterback they draft) to start immediately (if that is the direction they wish to take). Barring any other trades involving the Bears in the first round, they also retain the ninth overall pick which they can use on a wide receiver.
The additional second round pick they receive from the Steelers would allow them to address other positions of need early in the NFL Draft. PFF projects that they would use that pick to draft Penn State edge rusher Adisa Isaac.
Most importantly, the trade would mean the beginning of another new era in Chicago with a quarterback who could easily be the best they have ever had.
