Unexpected Sad Trade News: Steelers Trade Justin Fields Emergence Mike Tomlin Signed…..
Thankfully, it seems like the Justin Fields trade drama is quickly coming to an end. Word from the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, according to NFL source Tony Pauline, is that the Chicago Bears and the Atlanta Falcons are near to concluding a deal for the former Ohio State star quarterback, Brandon Fields, who will return to his hometown. In his NFL insider notes on Saturday morning, Pauline writes, “Word in Indianapolis is the Chicago Bears are close to finalizing a deal which would send former first-round pick Justin Fields to the Atlanta Falcons.” “Whether the trade will be completed or even disclosed prior to the Combine’s end is unknown. As I mentioned on Thursday, the Falcons will focus on Baker Mayfield if he is still available when free agency opens if they are unable to reach an agreement with the Bears for Fields. Pauline’s story was released only a few days after Chicago general manager Ryan Poles declared that he wanted to do the right thing by Fields and that if the Bears were to take that route at the position, he would move him before free agency began. In the NFL Draft of 2024, they will have the first choice. Poles did, however, clarify that the Bears had not held real trade discussions with Fields up to that moment. Dianna Russini of The Athletic followed up on this statement on Friday, noting that Fields did not seem to have a “robust trade market.” It was anticipated going into the Combine week that a Justin Fields trade would happen quickly, particularly if the Bears visited with USC quarterback Caleb Williams and felt confident enough to choose him first overall in the draft. Poles stated on Tuesday that the team wishes to respond to Fields promptly and fairly. Regarding Fields’ predicament, he stated on the Bears YouTube page, “No one wants to live in gray.” “I understand how uneasy that is. That’s not a scenario I would want to be in either. We will compile the data. We’ll get going as soon as we can. It appears like Fields’ situation is progressing swiftly at the moment. Given Atlanta’s need at the position under new head coach Raheem Morris and new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, the Falcons were always a likely destination. Fields was also connected to the Steelers through a trade, yet it’s unclear if the team genuinely inquired about the quarterback’s availability. A trade for Justin Fields would have gone against Pittsburgh’s numerous declarations over the summer that they had complete trust in Kenny Pickett as their starting quarterback. We’ll have to wait and watch whether the Fields trade to Atlanta is made public. Given the financial burden Fields’ fifth-year option bears for the 2025 season—a decision must be made by May 2—it shouldn’t cost much more than a second or third round choice in the 2024 NFL Draft.