Bears Reportedly Turned Down Better Offer for Justin Fields

The Chicago Bears are the main talking point around the NFL after trading Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers. What many are discussing in and out of Chicago, is the Bears' return for the young signal-caller, who netted just a conditional sixth-round pick.

However, it appears GM Ryan Poles could've gotten more if he wanted to.

ESPN's Courtney Cronin provided more insight on the Fields deal in a column publish Sunday morning. She said the Bears had "an additional offer with stronger draft capital" from another team, but that squad's starter was more clearly entrenched as QB1.

Since Poles had promised to do right by Fields, Chicago's GM sent him to a location where he could more easily rise to the top of the depth chart.

"The Bears had an additional offer with stronger draft capital from a team with an established starter, per a source, but chose to send Fields to Pittsburgh with the hope of putting the 25-year-old in a position to continue his development -- first as a backup to Wilson and eventually as a starter."

- Courtney Cronin, ESPN

It's not a shock the Bears had a chance to get something better in return for Fields. After all, the Steelers just fetched a third-round pick and two seventh-rounders in exchange for Pickett and a fourth-rounder.

Now, it's not likely Poles turned down something like a first- or second-round pick. A "stronger" offer doesn't mean a ton when the return in question; is a sixth that could become a fourth with some luck.

Still, it's great to see Poles keeping his word. Treating a big-name contributor well even during a tough breakup is something players and agents notice when considering places to take their talents.

Poles' handling of a significant split should earn some major respect across the league, which is huge as he looks to keep improving this budding roster.

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