You are right to think this is fake news. In a sane world, how can it not be?
However let’s say that at some point this claim could be substantiated. Could you imagine the reaction from the DWF-base. They should at minimum cancel their season tickets or at worst light the seats on fire at Soldier Field. It would provide stark evidence that NFL franchises are not driven but winning, but rather pushing “The Message”. And why would teams be hellbent on winning, since revenue sharing ensures every owner’s pockets get fat no matter what? With this all considered, does the ESPN report really seem so outlandish?
A good tell is that none of the "five teams" supposedly interested in Fields in addition to the Steelers are mentioned, nor are any of the alleged better offers. Why not? Would it be giving away state secrets or imperil national security? Articles that make claims with no specifics or evidence, or that only quote "anonymous" sources or so-called "experts" should always be regarded as fake news until shown not to be.
There's only so much information or disinformation that can fit in a Weenieworld blurb, but looking at the article from which the blurb was drawn, it only mentions an anonymous "source" or two with no other specifics other than Poles saying he wanted to "do right" by Fields. Pure narrative shaping:
What made the Bears decide this was the best offer they could get?
Cronin: The Bears had hoped to land a Day 2 pick in the 2024 draft coupled with a 2025 pick that had the potential to escalate heading into the combine in Indianapolis in late February, a source with knowledge of the team's plans told ESPN. The parameters of the trade that sent former
New York Jets quarterback
Sam Darnold to the
Carolina Panthers (a 2021 sixth-round pick plus second- and fourth-round selections in 2022) was what Chicago had hoped to model its Fields trade after. But as potential destinations quickly came off the board with
Russell Wilson signing with Pittsburgh,
Kirk Cousins with Atlanta and
Baker Mayfield staying in Tampa, the Bears had to adjust the type of return they were hoping to receive.
A source told ESPN that five teams in addition to Pittsburgh reached out to Chicago, and the majority of those teams had envisioned the former first-round pick in a backup role. Additionally, the Steelers had been in talks with the Bears throughout the week of free agency and reached out again after sending
Kenny Pickett to the
Philadelphia Eagles on Friday. 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.
In Indianapolis, Bears GM Ryan Poles said he wanted to "do right" by Fields, which included not keeping him on a team with a rookie and finding a spot where he could continue developing. In Pittsburgh, Fields will have that chance.
The Bears seemingly eliminated any doubt Caleb Williams will be their No. 1 pick with the trade, but what's next for both teams?
www.espn.com