Steelers' Justin Fields Was A Victim In Chicago; Former Teammate Said Bears Were "Playing To Lose"

Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin has made it clear that former Super Bowl-winning quarterback, Russell Wilson is in "pole position" to start the 2024 season. Given Wilson's success and veteran status, this isn't surprising; however, that also doesn't mean that competitor Justin Fields isn't doing everything he can to edge him out. 

After Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and minicamp, reports circulated questioning Fields' accuracy. Some media members have downplayed the comments, saying it was only a handful of snaps with the second string players, and others say this is no surprise.  

Now, a former teammate of Fields is speaking up about the conditions when they were with the Chicago Bears and lending some support. Cornerback Davontae Harris has been a journeyman during his time in the league, including a stop with the Bears. He recently appeared on Bring the Juice Podcast, and host Frank Dalena said he felt what happened to Fields in Chicago was disrespectful and hopes it is better in Pittsburgh. 

"Justin's solid; he's one of the most down-to-earth people I know," said Harris. "It's a matter of what he makes it. I've been around him, and he's going to turn it into an opportunity. Mike Tomlin is a coach he wants behind him. There, he could be a star. Obviously, in Chicago, he could too, but when I was in Chicago, they were playing to lose."

Dalena said it always sounded like a toxic environment to him. Fields was a first-round draft pick, 11th overall in 2021. The Bears had pinned their hopes on his remarkable athletic abilities. However, it ultimately wasn't a good fit. 

The Bears let Fields down, failing to develop him, and then set their sights on a shiny new toy in Caleb Williams. This led to them trading Fields to the Steelers. Harris said it was surreal being with an organization that doesn't want to win like most players do.  

"It was the first time I actually been into a building where you're still competing for your life, but the difference is when they're planning to lose, it doesn't matter what you do," added Harris. "They're going to manipulate transactions how it fits from the business model standpoint. That's when I started to really, really, really, really recognize the league as a business."

Fields didn't produce the way the team had hoped during the three seasons he was in Chicago. It is easy to see both sides of the issue. Fields lacked the passing game the team needed to be successful, but the organization did not provide the young quarterback with the supporting cast he needed. Despite that, he set the single-game regular season record for quarterback rushing yards and became only the third quarterback ever to have a 1,000-yard rushing season. 

Fields is on a one-year contract in Pittsburgh, and it will be interesting to see what happens, especially if he doesn't get an opportunity to start this season. It appears the Steelers are hoping Fields can learn behind Wilson and he will be the quarterback of the future. But can Fields develop his passing game enough to be a solid starting quarterback? 

Steelers' Justin Fields' Contract Situation Is Up In The Air

The Steelers have a firm rule about not engaging in contract negotiations with players during the season. Therefore, many think the team will work out some kind of extension with Fields before the season starts. 

This is a bit tricky since he hasn't played a single down of football in black and gold. The organization will be going solely off what they saw from the Bears and the potential they see in activities with the Steelers. It makes sense that they would try to lock him in now, rather than risk having no quarterback to start the 2025 season. 

Do you believe that Chicago purposely lost games? Click to comment below.

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