Eberflus Opens Up About His Farewell Words to Justin Fields
The Pittsburgh Steelers faced a tumultuous quarterback transition this offseason with Kenny Pickett, a scenario markedly different from the Chicago Bears' dealings with quarterback Justin Fields and head coach Matt Eberflus.
According to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, Eberflus described the off-season interactions with Fields as marked by mutual respect. When Fields was traded to the Steelers on March 16, Eberflus conveyed a heartfelt farewell. "We thanked him for his leadership, work ethic, and the kind of man he is, always a wonderful guy," Eberflus remarked. "I really enjoyed our relationship over the last couple of years, and that doesn't end here."
The bond formed over two seasons under Eberflus was something special, as noted by Eberflus, and it's something that remains untouchable by external factors.
During Fields' tenure, the Bears saw significant coaching changes, yet Fields played two of his three seasons with Eberflus. This offseason marked a pivotal moment for the Bears as they prepared to utilize the first overall pick in the NFL draft for the first time since 1947. They had also held the No. 1 pick in 2023 but opted to trade back with the Carolina Panthers, which allowed Fields to remain the starting quarterback last season.
In 2023, Chicago selected USC quarterback Caleb Williams as their top pick.
Despite discussions on whether Fields would be traded, it had seemed inevitable. Bears general manager Ryan Poles emphasized the intention to treat Fields right during this process.
Ultimately, Poles and the Bears honored their commitment. ESPN's Brooke Pryor reported that the Bears passed on a more lucrative offer to trade Fields to a team like Pittsburgh, a 2023 playoff contender in need of a quarterback. This positioned Fields for a fresh start even if Russell Wilson starts this season, as Pittsburgh anticipates a long-term role for him at quarterback.
Fields showed significant playmaking ability during his time with the Bears, albeit marred by frequent errors, and the team's overall performance did not reflect winning results. Despite the challenges, Fields demonstrated his capability with an average of at least 5.3 yards per rushing attempt and 6.9 yards per pass attempt in each season.
However, Chicago only managed a 10-28 record with Fields as the starting quarterback, with an 8-20 record under Eberflus. Fields also encountered significant setbacks, including 30 interceptions, 135 sacks, and 38 fumbles over 40 games.
With the Steelers, Fields will have a chance to turn his career around under the guidance of new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Although Pittsburgh did not pick up Fields' fifth-year option, there are predictions, such as one by Gerry Dulac of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in April, that the team may sign Fields to a long-term deal before the season starts.
| POLL | ||
13 MAI | 90 ANSWERS Eberflus Opens Up About His Farewell Words to Justin Fields Do you think Justin Fields will succeed with the Steelers? | ||
| Yes | 44 | 48.9 % |
| No | 46 | 51.1 % |
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