The Chicago Bears followed through on the wide-spread presumption with a trade sending quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a conditional sixth-round draft pick that can become a fourth-rounder with playing time, thus ending the former No. 11 overall pick?s time with the franchise that traded up to draft him in 2021.
NFL Network?s Ian Rapoport broke the news of the trade on March 16, while ESPN?s Adam Schefter reported on the compensation.
Bears wide receiver DJ Moore weighed in with a short and poignant message.
DJ Moore on Justin Fields Trade: ‘Business is Business’
DJ Moore and Justin Fields Formed Quick Bond
Moore has stumped for Fields at every opportunity. But he has also been realistic about the potential outcome of this offseason, and this was more of the latter.
?Business is Business,? Moore posted on X, formerly Twitter, read.
Moore, 26, set career highs with 96 receptions for 1,364 yards and eight touchdowns this past season.
He gave a lot of the credit for that to having Fields under center. The two hit it off immediately and that connection showed on and off the field. But Moore will now make it seven straight seasons with a different quarterback set to or making the majority of the starts for his team.
That is a lot of change and a big part of the reason Moore pushed for continuity.
Bears Leaders Weigh In on Justin Fields Trade
Moore is one of the leaders in the locker room as a prime example of how to be a pro. But there are more vocal leaders, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. They have also weighed in on the possibility that Fields could be traded and now in the aftermath.
Jaylon Johnson touted the character in the locker room as a big reason he believed they could withstand losing the well-like Fields.
Teammate DeMarcus Walker echoed Moore?s cold-hard reality of the NFL.
?Today isn?t easy but it?s a business,? Walker said in a post.
2023 second-round pick Gervon Dexter Sr. simply posted ?damn? with a crying emoji over the news about his now-former teammate who was widely praised for his demeanor amid a polarizing tenure.
Bears ?Ear-Marked? Steelers
This trade sends a shockwave across the NFL. But it is not a surprise for the Bears. They were targeting a deal with two teams according to one insider who noted the new reality in Chicago.
?The Steelers were one of two teams that the Bears had earmarked?along with the Falcons?at the start of free agency as potential trade partners. Where the Russell Wilson signing closed the door, the Kenny Pickett trade reopened it,? Sports Illustrated?s Albert Breer reported on March 16.
?It?s Caleb Williams time in Chicago.?
Fields now heads to Pittsburgh to back up the recently-signed Wilson, per NFL Network?s Tom Pelissero.
