The Chicago Bears traded Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a deal that prioritized General Manager Ryan Poles? desire to ?do right? by the fourth-year quarterback over maximizing the return. That doesn?t mean Poles was looking to make a bad deal either.
Fields? rumored list of desired trade destinations and where he went might best illustrate that point.
Justin Fields Eyed Vikings, Falcons, Raiders Steelers Before Bears Trade
Former Bears QB Had Mutual Interest in Steelers, Eyed Vikings Before Trade
?Chicago ? was willing to give Fields some say in his next destination,? ESPN?s Brooke Pryor wrote on March 29. ?The Steelers were one of four teams on Fields’ radar prior to the start of free agency, along with the Vikings, Raiders and Falcons, a source familiar with Fields’ thinking said.
?Fields ?thought highly of Tomlin,? one source close to the quarterback said.?
The feeling was mutual, with Tomlin rumored to be an advocate for the former Ohio State star. Steelers general manager Omar Khan also left the door wide open for a trade to acquire Fields when asked about the possibility.
The Vikings? place on the list is interesting for numerous reasons, not the least of which being that they are a division rival and are one season removed from going 13-4.
However, Kirk Cousins left the Vikings for the Falcons in free agency.
That took Fields? hometown team out of the market for a quarterback. The Raiders, meanwhile, hired former Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy for the same role. While their rumored interest persisted, a deal always seemed like a long shot.
Journeyman Gardner Minshew eventually signed a one-year deal in free agency to compete with Aidan O?Connell and, potentially, a rookie.
The Vikings ultimately signed Sam Darnold.
But they too have been heavily rumored to have an interest in trading up for a quarterback in this year?s draft. The race to move up behind the Bears ? who will presumably select Caleb Williams ? has heated up in recent weeks.
Justin Fields Wanted to Face Bears Often
Fields was clearly targeting teams in need of a starting quarterback this offseason. Perhaps the Vikings just fit that bill.
But his desire to jump to a division rival is as bold as it was unlikely to ever happen.
Landing under a highly-regarded head coach in Kevin O?Connell and playing with the Vikings? assortment of weapons headlined by four-time Pro Bowler Justin Jefferson ? who pushed the idea of landing Fields in years past ? could be appealing.
According to Pryor, the Bears had at least one offer that would have brought back a more significant return. They chose not to, at least in part, because three was an established starter.
It is fair to wonder if that mystery team was the Vikings, who may have thought Cousins was returning.
It?s also fair to wonder just what kind of package they would have had to offer Poles. He would have to justify that and face the risk that Fields took that next step with a division rival.
