Bears eye trade compensation as ex-QB Justin Fields starts season as Steelers' backup

Former Bears quarterback Justin Fields will begin the season on the bench for the Steelers. Coach Mike Tomlin announced Wednesday that nine-time Pro Bowl pick Russell Wilson will be his starter when the team opens Sept. 8 against the Falcons.

The Bears have a vested interested in that decision after trading Fields to the Steelers for a sixth-round pick. That escalates to a fourth-rounder if Fields plays 51% of the offensive snaps or more.

He completed 19 of 27 passes for 199 yards and a 91.4 passer rating in the preseason. The Steelers had two fumbles on center-quarterback exchanges in his first game, and Tomlin said at the time that "negated a lot of good things."

Former general manager Ryan Pace traded up to take Fields No. 11 overall in 2021, but he never developed into a proficient passer. When Ryan Poles had the No. 1 pick this year and top prospect Caleb Williams was available, it was clear the Bears would move on from Fields.

Fields said in May he expected to be traded.

“It was just a little bit different this year,” he said. “I’m not naïve. I can read body language and stuff like that. It wasn’t a shock. I knew what was gonna happen. I’m just glad I got traded to the spot I wanted.”

He added, "Shoutout to Poles,” as a thank you for sending him to a good situation.