Justin Fields trade could pay Bears bigger dividends than expected this season

The Chicago Bears appeared to give QB Justin Fields away during the offseason when they traded the former first-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The headline was that sixth-round pick and how the Bears, essentially, got nothing for the former Ohio State star.

There’s a chance that’s going to change. Big time.

According to Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, Fields is in a full-blown quarterback competition with Russell Wilson, who at the time of the trade, was the clear, undisputed starter in Pittsburgh.

#Steelers HC Mike Tomlin confirmed that there is, in fact, a QB competition between Justin Fields and Russell Wilson.

Wilson, who is dealing with a calf injury, remains QB1.

Fields will start on Friday vs. the Texans, while Wilson will not play.pic.twitter.com/89upXew1x7

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 7, 2024

Now, a couple of weeks into training camp, Fields’ performance (combined with Wilson being injured) has opened the door for the former Bear to be QB1 in the Black and Gold.

And if Fields plays 51% of the Steelers’ offensive snaps in 2024? Yep, that “sixth-round pick” gets bumped up to a fourth-rounder, a round in which NFL front offices are still trying to find potential starters or critical backups.

Let’s go, Fields! Win that job, get the Chicago Bears a fourth-round pick, and all ends well.