Justin Fields Praises Pittsburgh, Doesn’t Want Trade from Bears

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Justin Fields have become the most popular offseason rumors so far. Most analysts see the fit as a natural one that could help upgrade the team’s quarterback room, but it’s unknown if the Steelers, or even Fields himself, would want to make a run at the partnership. Though, it is clear that Fields at least wants the saga about his future to end.

“Of course I want to stay,” Fields said on the St. Brown Brothers Podcast. “I can’t see myself playing in another place. If it was up to me, I would want to stay in Chicago. I love the city. The city’s lit. The fans are great. It’s a business; I ain’t got no control over it. The biggest thing with all this going on [is] I just want to it to be over. Let me know if I’m getting traded [or] let me know if I’m staying.”

Fields commented just a bit about the Steelers and Pittsburgh, recalling his rookie year experience there. While the Bears did lose that game, Fields led a rallying comeback that nearly allowed Chicago to pull off the win.

“Pittsburgh was lit, too,” Fields said. “I remember going there my rookie year. We went over there, too.”

Fields noted that Acrisure Stadium and Pittsburgh was his favorite non-home stadium. His only time playing there was on Monday Night Football.

Fields took a small step forward in 2023, his third year as Chicago’s starting quarterback. The 24-year-old Ohio State alum threw 370 times, completing 227 for 2,562 yards and 16 touchdowns. He threw nine interceptions and maintained an 86.3 passer rating and a 5.29 adjusted net yards per attempt.

Last season, he was 192 of 318 for 2,242 yards, 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, an 85.2 quarterback rating and 4.63 adjusted net yards per attempt.

Fields is entering the final year of his rookie contract and the Bears — or another team, if he’s traded — must decide this offseason if they want to pick up the fifth-year option on his contract. That would be a guaranteed $25 million contract for 2025. The Bears or another club could also attempt to negotiate a traditional contract extension.

Appearing on ESPN 1000, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport believes that not only will the Bears not move off the first overall pick, but that they can get a solid haul for Fields, whether that be from the Steelers or another team.

“I think the Bears could get a premium pick, a second-rounder, maybe more,” Rapoport said. “They’re in a really good spot getting so many picks no matter what they do.”

So, it seems likely that the cost will end up being at least a second-round pick to get Fields from the Bears, especially with other teams in the conversation. Rapoport answered ‘definitely’ that all of the Steelers, Falcons, and Raiders were teams to watch.