(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bears reportedly received a better offer for Justin Fields than the one they ultimately accepted from the Pittsburgh Steelers.

On Saturday evening, the Bears traded the former 2021 first-round pick to the Steelers in exchange for a conditional 2025 sixth-round draft choice that becomes a fourth-rounder if he plays 51 percent of the club’s offensive snaps.

The trade came just days after the Steelers landed nine-time Pro Bowler Russell Wilson on a one-year contract worth the veteran’s minimum.

It was a surprisingly low return for the 25-year-old Fields, who’s coming off the best season of his young career in which he compiled 2,562 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, 657 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.

According to a report from Courtney Cronin and Brooke Pryor of ESPN, the Bears turned down a better offer elsewhere and accepted Pittsburgh’s because they wanted to leave Fields in a good situation.

“The Bears had an additional offer with stronger draft capital from a team with an established starter, per a source, but chose to send Fields to Pittsburgh with the hope of putting the 25-year-old in a position to continue his development — first as a backup to Wilson and eventually as a starter.

In Indianapolis, Bears GM Ryan Poles said he wanted to “do right” by Fields, which included not keeping him on a team with a rookie and finding a spot where he could continue developing. In Pittsburgh, Fields will have that chance.”

Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, head coach Mike Tomlin told Wilson that he’ll be the starting quarterback for Pittsburgh heading into next season. But with Wilson only on a one-year deal, the door is very much open for Fields to step in as the team’s long-term option QB.

The Ideal Situation For Justin Fields

The amount of potential suitors for Fields quickly dropped once free agency opened. Atlanta signed Kirk Cousins. Las Vegas added Gardner Minshew II to compete with second-year QB Aidan O’Connell. The Giants brought in Drew Lock to compete with Daniel Jones, who’s entering a make-or-break year.

Ultimately, Pittsburgh was the best remaining landing spot for Fields. He’ll play behind a potential future Hall of Famer for the time being. If Wilson isn’t up for the challenge, then Fields will take over an offense consisting of George Pickens, Pat Freiermuth, Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren.