In a surprising move, the Chicago Bears have traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers. General Manager Ryan Poles spoke publicly for the first time about the decision, revealing the team's reasoning behind the trade.

Poles stated that the decision to trade Fields was one of the hardest things he's had to do, emphasizing that it was a tough decision for the organization. The Bears wanted to do right by Fields and expressed their appreciation for his contributions to the team and the city of Chicago.

The trade discussions involved several teams, but ultimately, the Steelers presented the best opportunity for Fields to compete for playing time. With veteran Russell Wilson signed to the team, Fields will have an opportunity to showcase his abilities during the preseason.

Poles mentioned that the trade market for Fields was not as robust as initially anticipated, which led the Bears to adjust their expectations. Other trade offers did not significantly differ in compensation, and the team felt that it was in Fields' best interest to join the Steelers.

Fields had a challenging start to his career with the Bears, with Poles describing his rookie year under former coach Matt Nagy as "choppy." The change in coaching staff in 2022 meant the team had to make adjustments to the roster, delaying the addition of a more talented supporting cast for Fields.

Although Fields showed improvement in his third season, completing a career-high 61.4% of his passes for 2,562 yards with 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions, the Bears decided to go with a rookie quarterback on a cheaper contract to allow for continued team-building.

Poles acknowledged that there were deep conversations within the Bears organization about the possibility of keeping Fields while also drafting a quarterback. However, after careful consideration, they determined that it was best to move on and allow a young quarterback to come in and work into the starting role.

Fields has yet to address the media about the trade, but Poles praised him for being a "class act" throughout the ups and downs of his time with the Bears. The team made sure to communicate with their players about the decision, and Poles noted that they seemed to understand the circumstances behind Fields' departure.

Now, Fields will have the opportunity to revive his career in Pittsburgh, learning from a seasoned quarterback in Wilson. The trade marks a new chapter for both Fields and the Bears as they look ahead to the future of the franchise.