The Door is Now Open for Justin Fields to Back Up Caleb Williams
By Cem Yolbulan
The Chicago Bears have their quarterback of the future in Caleb Williams. As they try to get back to winning ways, they will rely on the former USC star to lead them. Who will be his backup, however, remains an open question.
After three seasons with the team, Justin Fields was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason for a sixth-round pick. This gives the former first-round pick a chance to revive his career in Pittsburgh, but the Bears currently only have Tyson Bagent and Brett Rypien as their backups to Caleb Williams. Chicago would ideally want a more experienced signal-caller not only as a reliable backup to their rookie, but also as a mentor to help him transition to the NFL.
One option that could emerge for the 2025 season is Justin Fields. According to league sources that Adam Schefter has heard from, the Steelers aren't picking up the fifth-year option for Fields, making him a potential free agent next offseason.
Justin Fields Will Be a Free Agent Next Offseason
League sources do not expect the Steelers to pick up the $25 million fifth-year option on quarterback Justin Fields, whom the team acquired last month for a conditional 2025 6th-round pick. Fields and Russell Wilson both now will be entering the last year of their contracts. pic.twitter.com/qJWY1djtI7
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 24, 2024
The Steelers also signed Russell Wilson this offseason. Things may change closer to the start of the season but it seems like Wilson will be the starter over Fields in Week 1. If Fields fails to break through and establish himself as a starter-caliber QB in Pittsburgh, he may have to look for a new destination in 2025 free agency.
That destination could be a return to Chicago. The Bears will likely not find a long-term solution at backup QB before this season. So, they would presumably welcome Fields back as someone who knows the organization.
There are no negative feelings between Fields and Bears fans. It simply didn't work out for a variety of reasons. That doesn't mean, however, that it couldn't work under different circumstances.
There is still plenty of time left for the start of the 2024-25 NFL season but you don't have to wait that long to get in on the action. You can head over to FanDuel Sportsbook and claim your sign-up offer of $150 in bonus bets now.
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