A Chicago Bears player is upset that Justin Fields is no longer on the team.
Tight end Cole Kmet received a call from Bears head coach Matt Eberflus, who told him that Fields was being traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Eberflus made it a point to call Fields' close friends, knowing that not everyone on the team was going to like the move.
Kmet said on the “CHGO Chicago Bears Podcast” that he was actually planning to go into town to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, but when he got the call, he decided to stay home.
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Justin Fields and Cole Kmet of the Chicago Bears appear before the Browns game on Dec. 17, 2023, in Cleveland. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)
“Obviously, it was really upsetting that it came to that and where he was at that time, but you felt like the writing was on the wall,” Kmet said.
It was no secret that general manager Ryan Poles was going to shop around to find a suitor for Fields despite only having been with the Bears for three seasons. Chicago owns two of the top 10 picks in this year's NFL Draft, including No. 1 overall, and is expected to use it on a new quarterback for the organization. USC's Caleb Williams is the most likely option in that case.
The Poles said before the new league year began that the Bears' direction would be revealed with their moves before the draft, and the Fields trade all but solidifies the use of that first overall pick for a quarterback.
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Kmet has developed a great relationship with Fields as the latter was the 11th overall pick in the 2021 Draft. Kmet, who went in the second round to Chicago out of Notre Dame, saw his best season in a Bears uniform last year with 719 yards on 73 receptions and six touchdowns.
Because of his relationship with his quarterback, Kmet was grateful when Eberflus called him.
Justin Fields, left, and Cole Kmet of the Chicago Bears warm up in Cleveland for the Browns game on Dec. 17, 2023. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)
“I don't expect them to call me for that kind of thing, but it's always nice when they contact me,” he explained. “I think it's a classy move on their part to let the guys who have been with Justin and are close to Justin tell them about the decision and why they made the decision.”
The trade marks the beginning of a new era in Bears football, one that the organization hopes can be a quick turnaround. The Poles certainly made the right moves this offseason to do so, strengthening the offensive line, reaching a trade with the Los Angeles Chargers for veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen and re-signing/bringing in defensive help like safety Kevin Byard.
Chicago's roster on paper is a young group that Williams, or any other quarterback, can fit right into.
“I still think [it is] These are really exciting times for the Bears here,” Kmet said. “These are really exciting times, and with any rookie they decide to go, it seems like that's the direction they're going. What a great opportunity. “What a great opportunity for a kid to come here with an infrastructure in place and be ready to win football games from the start.”
The Bears' Justin Fields, right, walks with Cole Kmet after throwing an interception against the Denver Broncos at Soldier Field on Oct. 1, 2023 in Chicago. (Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
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Kmet is also one of the players the Bears wanted to keep; He signed a four-year, $50 million contract to remain the starting tight end.
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