Bears CB Jaylon Johnson Was Sad to See Justin Fields Leave Chicago
Multiple teammates have stated that they wanted quarterback Justin Fields to stay in Chicago, but obviously the front office felt different and dealt Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Chicago is expected to select USC quarterback Caleb Williams at No. 1 overall in the draft.
Bears tight end Cole Kmet revealed that he skipped partaking in St. Patrick’s Day festivities Saturday after learning from head coach Matt Eberflus that Chicago had traded Fields to the Steelers.
“Obviously, really upsetting that it came to that, and where it was at that moment, but you kind of felt like the writing was on the wall with that,” Kmet said on the CHGO Bears Podcast.
Appearing on Up and Adams with Kay Adams Wednesday, Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson expressed similar sentiments.
“If you truly believe in a guy, I feel like the speculation would’ve been shot down,” Johnson said of the initial trade rumors surrounding Fields. “For me, that’s when I started preparing for it when the speculation and the questions weren’t shot down…so I was preparing myself for the worst. ‘OK, let’s already process Justin being traded.'”
With at least four other teams interested, Fields made it clear that he wanted to be traded to the Steelers, and the Bears did right by him. Johnson thinks a stable organization like the Steelers is the best fit for Fields.
“Seeing him going to the Steelers may just be another thing where I can continue to support him from the outside looking in. Wish him nothing but the best until, of course, he plays us,” Johnson said.
The Steelers don’t play the Bears in 2024, unless they meet in Super Bowl LIX, which is unlikely. They do, however, play the Bears in Chicago in 2025.
With Fields’ superb athleticism, he bring a different dimension to the Steelers’ quarterback room. Something that the Steelers haven’t had since Kordell Stewart was the quarterback over 20 years ago.
Since 2022, Fields has the most rushing yards by a quarterback with 1,800 yards, 6.3 yards per carry. Even if he isn’t the starter, which is expected to be the case, Fields will still have to be accounted for if the Steelers implement a special package.
“I think he brings a different element the Steelers haven’t had in a long time,” Johnson said. “I know they have some really good, young wide receivers, tight ends, good running backs. I know they can do some explosive things with the weapons they have on offense. I think really the Steelers haveneeded that extra playmaker. I feel like they’ve always had a good, sound, solid defense. Defense always does what it’s supposed to do. The offense has always held them back. Not really having too many explosive playmakers. Guys to be able to get the playmakers the ball. I think he definitely can go in there and do both.”
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