Bears trade Justin Fields: Experts hand out grades for Chicago

The Chicago Bears traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers, signaling the beginning of a new (Caleb Williams) era in the Windy City.

It’s a move that doesn’t come as a surprise. But the compensation — and overall lack of a market — was the biggest surprise. Chicago only received a conditional sixth-round pick that could turn into a fourth-rounder if Fields plays 51 percent of snaps in 2024. It’s surprising considering some believed Fields could garner a second-round pick — but it sounds like the teams inquiring about him didn’t view him as a starter or worthy of a Day 2 pick.

Ultimately, Fields entering the final year of his rookie deal and a fifth-year option up for grabs could certainly explain the hesitancy, as well. After all, what other reason would there be for guys like Gardner Minshew, Sam Darnold and others to get potential starting opportunities before Fields.

When all is said and done, general manager Ryan Poles did what was right by Fields when he traded him to the Steelers. Not only is the wait over for Fields, but he’s going to a stable organization. Poles could’ve dragged this out to the NFL draft and perhaps gotten more on draft night. But, at long last, the quarterback debate is over.

Here’s a collection of all of the grades for the Bears trading Fields, where experts were divided. Some believed Chicago flat out lost while others saw the trade (and situation) for as it was and thought it was a solid move for the Bears.