Former NFL QB rips Bears for giving up on Steelers' Justin Fields

Former NFL quarterback and current analyst Steve Beuerlein believes the Chicago Bears should've held onto current Pittsburgh Steelers signal-caller Justin Fields instead of using the first overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft to replace Fields with USC Trojans star Caleb Williams.

"My big statement on this whole evolution of what happened with Justin Fields, I thought the Bears made a huge mistake not trading that first pick," Beuerlein said during an appearance on "The Bullpen with Adam The Bull" program, as shared by Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot. "I think the Bears, if they trade away that first pick, commit to Fields for one more year...what they would've gotten in exchange for that first pick could've solidified that football team in a lot of areas and prepared and set the table to go on a really nice run either this year or next year."

Fellow former quarterback and current analyst Chase Daniel previously ripped Chicago for trading Fields to Pittsburgh for just a conditional 2025 sixth-round draft pick in March, while others have blamed the Bears' instability for the fact that Fields accumulated an overall record of 10-28 as a starter across his first three pro seasons. 

With that said, numerous statistics related to Fields' play in the fourth quarters of games show why the Bears were eager to acquire an advertised replacement at the sport's most important position this spring.

Beuerlein insisted that Fields "has enough special qualities" to succeed in the NFL if a club "can get that confidence level up and get him in an offensive system that knows how to use him." 

One may never know if the Steelers can be that team for Fields, as they appear ready to make veteran Russell Wilson their QB1 for the Week 1 game at the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 8.

Beuerlein thinks the Steelers can ultimately benefit from the trade with the Bears, but Fields is only signed through the upcoming season and seemingly isn't close to putting pen to paper on any extension. 

The 25-year-old won't have much reason to sign a deal with Pittsburgh if he's relegated to backup duties from September through January.