Bears TRADE Justin Fields to Steelers | CBS Sports

CBS Sports

16 Mar 202409:28

Summary

TLDRIn a major NFL trade, the Chicago Bears are reportedly sending quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a conditional draft pick that could rise to the fourth round based on playing time. This move comes as the Bears are poised to select quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick. The Steelers have also recently acquired Russell Wilson, leading to a significant shake-up in their quarterback room following the trade of last year's starter, Kenny Pickett, to the Eagles. The trade is seen as a positive for both teams, providing the Bears with a fresh start and the Steelers with an exciting duo of quarterbacks.

Takeaways

🏈 The Chicago Bears are trading quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers, as reported by senior NFL Insider Jonathan Jones.
🤝 In return, the Bears are reportedly receiving a sixth-round pick that could become a fourth-rounder based on Fields' playing time, according to ESPN.
📈 The trade comes as the Bears hold the number one overall pick and are considering quarterback Caleb Williams as their top choice.
🔄 Fields' move to the Steelers puts him alongside Russell Wilson, who recently signed with Pittsburgh.
🤔 The Steelers also traded last year's starter, Kenny Pickett, to the Eagles, signaling a significant shake-up in their quarterback room.
💰 The Steelers are expected to have a relatively low combined cost for their two starting-caliber quarterbacks, Fields and Wilson, at around $4 million.
🏆 There is speculation about a potential quarterback competition in Pittsburgh, with some reports suggesting Russell Wilson will be the starter.
🌟 The trade is seen as a positive for both the Bears, who can focus on their new franchise quarterback, and Fields, who gets a fresh start.
🎯 The Bears' trade could also impact their draft strategy, potentially allowing them to focus on other positions like offensive line or wide receiver.
📉 The perceived drop in value for Fields, going from a high draft pick to a sixth-rounder, reflects the volatility of the quarterback market in the NFL.

Q & A

Which team is trading quarterback Justin Fields?
-The Chicago Bears are trading Justin Fields.
Which team is Justin Fields being traded to?
-Justin Fields is being traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
What is the reported return for the Chicago Bears in this trade?
-The Bears are reportedly getting a sixth-round pick that becomes a fourth-rounder based on playing time.
Who is considered the favorite candidate to go to Chicago with the number one overall pick?
-Quarterback Caleb Williams is considered the favorite candidate to go to Chicago.
What was the previous position of Kenny Pickett before being traded?
-Kenny Pickett was last year's starter for the Steelers before being traded to the Eagles.
What does the Steelers' quarterback room look like after these recent trades?
-The Steelers' quarterback room now includes Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, with Wilson reportedly set as the starter.
How much are the Steelers expected to pay for both starting quarterbacks combined?
-The Steelers are expected to pay less than $5 million combined for both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.
What is the significance of the trade for Justin Fields?
-The trade provides Justin Fields with a fresh start and the opportunity to potentially be a starting quarterback in Pittsburgh.
What is the potential draft strategy for the Chicago Bears with the number one overall pick?
-The Bears may look to draft an offensive lineman, defensive edge rusher, or wide receiver, but the exact strategy will depend on their evaluation of available talent.
How might the new offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, impact the Steelers' offense?
-Arthur Smith is expected to improve the Steelers' offense, potentially focusing on better utilizing the run game and improving the overall offensive strategy.
What is the general sentiment towards the trade for the Steelers?
-The trade is generally seen as positive for the Steelers, as they acquire two starting-caliber quarterbacks for a relatively low cost and potentially improve their offense.

Outlines

00:00

🏈 NFL Trade Breakdown: Justin Fields to Steelers

The Chicago Bears have traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers, as reported by NFL Insider Jonathan Jones. In return, the Bears are set to receive a sixth-round pick that could escalate to a fourth-rounder based on Fields' playing time, according to ESPN. This move comes as the Bears hold the number one overall pick and are expected to select quarterback Caleb Williams. Fields' trade to Pittsburgh also follows the recent acquisition of Russell Wilson by the Steelers and the trade of last year's starter, Kenny Pickett, to the Eagles. The Steelers' quarterback room is undergoing significant changes, and this trade could have substantial implications for both teams' strategies going forward.

05:00

🤔 Evaluating the Fields Trade: Implications and Future Outlook

The trade of Justin Fields to the Steelers for a conditional pick reflects the NFL's assessment of his value, with the price having dropped significantly from a potential second-round pick to a sixth-rounder. All the quarterbacks from the 2021 draft class, except Trevor Lawrence, have now been traded, highlighting the volatility of the quarterback market. For the Bears, this trade avoids a potential logjam with Fields and Williams, while Fields gets a fresh start in Pittsburgh. The Steelers now have two promising quarterbacks, potentially offering an upgrade over Kenny Pickett, even if marginal. The trade is seen as a positive move for both teams, with the Steelers securing two starting-caliber quarterbacks for a relatively low cost. The future of the Steelers' quarterback room remains fluid, with reports suggesting Russell Wilson will be the number one quarterback, but the exact outcomes will depend on how the situation evolves.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡NFL

The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league consisting of 32 teams, divided equally between the National Football Conference (NFC) and the American Football Conference (AFC). It is the highest professional level of American football in the world and is considered the premier professional sports league in the United States. In the context of the video, the NFL is the setting for the discussed trades and team strategies.

💡Justin Fields

Justin Fields is an American football quarterback who, at the time of the video, was part of the Chicago Bears. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers as per the breaking news in the video. Fields is noted for his athleticism and strong arm, but his performance within the pocket was mentioned as an area for improvement.

💡Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and are part of the NFL's AFC North division. Known for their rich history and successful performance, the team is featured in the video discussing their recent trades and quarterback changes, including the acquisition of Justin Fields and Russell Wilson.

💡Trade

In the context of professional sports, a trade involves the exchange of players or draft picks between teams. Trades are strategic decisions made to improve a team's performance, address roster needs, or manage salary caps. In the video, trades are the key subject, with specific focus on the movement of quarterbacks Justin Fields and Russell Wilson.

💡Quarterback

A quarterback (QB) is the leader of the offense in American football and is responsible for calling plays, receiving the snap, and either handing the ball off to a running back, throwing the ball, or running with it themselves. The position is often considered the most important on the team due to its central role in the game. In the video, the quarterback position and the performance of specific QBs like Justin Fields and Russell Wilson are central topics.

💡Caleb Williams

Caleb Williams is an American football quarterback who, at the time of the video, was considered a top prospect in college football and a potential high draft pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. His inclusion in the video suggests that he is a player of interest for the Chicago Bears, who hold the number one overall pick.

💡Draft Pick

A draft pick is the right to select a player from a college or another football league during the NFL Draft. Teams are given draft picks based on the previous year's performance, with worse-performing teams getting higher picks. Draft picks are valuable assets that can be traded between teams, as seen with the trade involving Justin Fields.

💡Russell Wilson

Russell Wilson is an American football quarterback known for his time with the Seattle Seahawks and, at the time of the video, his recent signing with the Denver Broncos. His mention in the video relates to the significant changes in the quarterback landscape and the potential impact of his move on the Pittsburgh Steelers.

💡Arthur Smith

Arthur Smith is an American football coach who, at the time of the video, was the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons and previously the Titans' offensive coordinator. His name is brought up in the context of potentially helping Justin Fields improve his pocket presence and overall game as the new offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

💡Roster

In sports, a roster refers to the list of players officially signed to a team. It includes all the athletes who are eligible to play in games and represents the team's active personnel. The video discusses the Steelers' roster changes, particularly in the quarterback position, as a result of trades and signings.

💡Salary Cap

The salary cap is a limit on the amount of money that a professional sports league team can spend on player salaries for a given year. It is designed to promote competitive balance by controlling player costs. In the video, the salary cap is relevant when discussing the cost-effectiveness of having two starting-caliber quarterbacks in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields on the Steelers' roster.

Highlights

Chicago Bears trading quarterback Justin Fields to the Steelers

Trade information reported by senior NFL Insider Jonathan Jones

Bears receiving a sixth round pick that becomes a fourth rounder based on playing time

Bears holding the number one overall pick, with quarterback Caleb Williams as the favorite

Fields joining Russell Wilson in Pittsburgh after Wilson's signing

Steelers trading last year's starter Kenny Pickett to the Eagles

New quarterback room in Pittsburgh with Fields and Wilson

Bears' clear intention to pick Caleb Williams at number one

Steelers' recent significant roster changes including trading Kenny Pickett and Deontay Johnson

Russell Wilson reportedly the starter for the Steelers

Fields and Wilson on the same team, a significant shift from their previous trajectories

Pittsburgh's low cost for two starting caliber quarterbacks

Potential for a quarterback competition between Wilson and Fields

The volatility of the quarterback market as evidenced by Fields' trade value

Bears benefit from not having Fields and Williams together, focusing on their new franchise QB

Steelers' opportunity to maximize Fields' abilities in a new environment

The trade graded as an A+ for the Steelers, acquiring two quarterbacks for a low cost

Steelers' potential for a more competitive team with new offensive and defensive changes

The evolving quarterback situation in Pittsburgh post-Ben Roethlisberger