NFL executive believes Bears settled in their trade of Justin Fields: 'They almost got bullied or gave up'

(670 The Score) As the Bears committed themselves to selecting a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, they were also preparing to part ways with three-year starting quarterback Justin Fields.

It turned out there simply wasn’t much demand for the 25-year-old Fields on the trade market as Bears general manager Ryan Poles sought to move him.

Teams moved for their new quarterbacks quickly in free agency, leaving fewer suitors for Fields. The Bears traded him to the Steelers on March 16 in exchange for a conditional sixth-round pick in 2025, a selection that becomes a fourth-round pick if Fields plays 51% or more of Pittsburgh’s snaps at quarterback in this upcoming season.

One NFL executive who spoke anonymously to The Athletic stated that the Bears settled for a trade of Fields.

“They almost got bullied or gave up,” the executive said. “Their asking price was probably too high initially, and then when they realized the seats got filled, they had to lower their ask. I don’t understand why you would make that trade because if somebody has an injury or doesn’t get the quarterback they thought they were going to get, the ask will be higher.”

The Steelers acquired Fields with the intention for him to serve as the backup behind nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson, whom they signed after he was released by the Broncos.

The Falcons filled their void at quarterback as they signed Kirk Cousins to a lucrative four-year deal, the Raiders signed Gardner Minshew, the Vikings signed Sam Darnold, the Patriots signed Jacoby Brissett and the Commanders signed Jeff Driskel, with all of those moves coming as Fields remained available on the trade market.

Fields threw for 6,674 yards, 40 touchdowns and 30 interceptions over 40 games with the Bears. The No. 11 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Fields will become a free agent in 2025 unless the Steelers exercise his fifth-year option this offseason.

The Bears are expected to select USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, which begins April 25.