Former Bears QB Justin Fields' Fifth-Year Option Declined By Pittsburgh

Former Chicago Bears quarterback, Justin Fields, will be a free agent after the 2024 NFL season. The Bears traded Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers in March prior to the NFL draft, making it clear they were selecting Caleb Williams with the first pick.

But as debates swirl around Justin Fields and his role on his second team, the Steelers declined the fifth-year option on the 25-year-old quarterback.

Justin Fields

In March, the Bears traded Fields to the Steelers for a sixth-round pick. It was a slightly surprising move at the time. For months, the debate among Bears fans was whether or not they should keep Justin Fields as the starting quarterback.

Ryan Poles didn't pull the trigger on a trade quickly. He took his time and sent Fields to an organization that would do right by him and give him the best chance to succeed. But questions arose after Pittsburgh acquired 35-year-old quarterback Russell Wilson — the presumed starter — then also traded for Fields.

Justin Fields was still playing for the Chicago Bears on his rookie contract worth approximately $3 million this year but would make over $25 million in 2025. Declining his fifth-year option gives the Steelers flexibility to extend him if they intend on retaining Fields after the 2024 season.

If Fields plays more than 50% of Pittsburgh's snaps this season, the Bears will receive as high as a fourth-round pick, completing the trade. Obviously, the Steelers want to give up as little as possible in this trade. But evaluating what they have in Justin Fields could force Pittsburgh to play him more, benefitting the Chicago Bears.