One of this NFL offseason’s most compelling sagas is reportedly over.
The Chicago Bears are trading quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a conditional 2025 draft pick, according to multiple reports Saturday.
When the trade becomes official, it will bring an end to the debate that had captivated the Windy City since January: Should the Bears roll with Fields in 2024, or should they draft a quarterback with the No. 1 pick in April?
It would appear Chicago is in line to do the latter. Meanwhile, the Steelers have given their quarterback room a complete makeover.
The NFL world had a number of thoughts on these developments. Bears wide receiver DJ Moore was terse.
Business is Business
— DJ Moore (@idjmoore) March 16, 2024
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell pointed out how quickly Pittsburgh had altered its entire outlook for the future.
This was nine months ago! Now the Steelers have Justin Fields and Russell Wilson at quarterback. League moves fast, man. pic.twitter.com/KNF21ugROw
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) March 16, 2024
Many Chicago fans expressed gratitude to Fields, who never quite clicked with the Bears but never bottomed out either.
The night Fields was drafted here was genuinely one of the happiest moments of my Bears fandom. Just screaming and jumping up and down in pure elation.
Wasn’t meant to be here in Chicago but I’m always going to rooting for him. Dude showed nothing but absolute class even though… pic.twitter.com/lCzX00MlN7
— DaWindyCity Productions (@dwcprodz) March 16, 2024
Meanwhile, ex-USC quarterback Caleb Williams came into focus as a potential Chicago target.
Caleb Williams accepting his fate as a Bears QB after the Justin Fields trade
pic.twitter.com/W7ZNTiPDjU
— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) March 16, 2024
Fans and analysts—including ESPN’s Mike Greenberg—ladled out praise to the Steelers for their savvy moves.
In six days, the #Steelers made the two shrewdest QB moves the NFL has seen in years.
Almost zero risk, enormous potential reward. Times two.
Plus, willing to admit a mistake and cut losses with a first round pick.
That’s elite franchise management, across the board.
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) March 16, 2024
Some had fun with the considerable age difference between Fields and new teammate Russell Wilson.
Justin Fields snatching the Steelers QB1 job from Russell Wilson
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) March 16, 2024
Last but not least, both sides of the Fields-Williams debate fired their final shots.
finally bears fans don’t have to pretend like there was ever a debate between caleb williams and justin fields
had to respect staying committed to the bit though
— Tej Seth (@tejfbanalytics) March 16, 2024
This dude Caleb Williams better be good, dawg…
— Russell Dorsey (@Russ_Dorsey1) March 16, 2024
