On Thursday night, the Chicago Bears sent a fourth-round pick (pick 110) to the Los Angeles Chargers for wide receiver Keenan Allen. Does this show signs of the Bears drafting Caleb Williams or sticking with Justin Fields?
The Chicago Bears have the number one overall pick for the second year. Most think they are taking the top prospect USC quarterback Caleb Williams, without a doubt. There is one problem… Justin Fields is still on the roster.
In a press conference before the NFL combine, general manager Ryan Poles stood on the stand and talked about the potential to draft Caleb Williams and move Justin Fields, the 11th overall draft pick in 2021. Poles stood before the media and claimed he wanted to do right by Fields.
“Again, it just depends on what opportunities pop up,” Poles said. “I will say this: I think you guys know me well enough now. If we do go down that road, I want to do right by Justin as well. No one wants to live in the gray. I know that’s uncomfortable. I wouldn’t want to be in that situation, either.”
Poles said that if this was the move, he hoped to do it by the start of the league year, March 13th. That day has come and gone, yet Fields is still on the roster.
Chicago Bears Trade for Keenan Allen
Bears players, fans, and media all rejoice at the move to grab Keenan Allen for a fourth-round draft pick—a steal, in most people’s opinion. The Bears have to take on his $33 million cap hit, but they have the financial ability to do so (the Los Angeles Chargers did not).
Do you think this move helps solidify the drafting of Caleb Williams? Or does it create a better scenario for Justin Fields to succeed?
Is Caleb Williams in Chicago next season?
Most of the public agrees that Caleb Williams is a future Bear. Haters aside, the talent cannot be denied. He is a polarizing figure in football, but like him or hate him, he is the first overall pick. Does adding Keenan Allen help solidify Caleb being picked by the Bears first?
Adam Jahns of The Athletic wrote, “It was … the Bears are creating the best situation they possibly can for their next quarterback: USC’s Caleb Williams. I know, I know, I know. The same applies to Justin Fields. He’s still technically QB1 for the Bears. But if you’re building around Fields, you’re also technically building around his potential replacement.”
SI.com has similar thoughts: “Those who still want Justin Fields back next year probably aren’t going to be too happy with him, still, because it’s difficult to see how they would keep their quarterback of the last three seasons when Caleb Williams is available. Caleb Williams is coming at quarterback, and this can’t be denied.”
If the Bears take Williams first overall, what options do they have afterward? The Bears also own the ninth overall pick. Now that they have a second option at wide receiver, do they continue to build their offense or help grow a defensive unit that gave a Bears team hope down the stretch?
Some people think the ninth pick will be a trade option. The Bears now only own four picks in the 2024 draft. Chicago is still on the verge of being a playoff contender, so the city would welcome gaining more draft capital.
Jahns spoke about what options the Bears have with the ninth pick: “It means that if Washington’s Rome Odunze and LSU’s Malik Nabers are drafted before the Bears’ No. 9 pick, they can comfortably and confidently look at the best offensive tackles and best pass rushers. It means Poles can continue investing in other premium positions through the draft. And it means that Poles won’t feel pressured to pick for roster needs, which could open the door for more trade-back opportunities if the Bears’ board tells him to do so.”
Typically, the first overall pick heads to a team that needs an entire roster overhaul. The Bears are not in that position. If/when Caleb Williams is drafted by the Bears first overall, he will have one of the best opportunities to succeed early on.
Do the Chicago Bears keep Justin Fields?
Justin Fields is still on the roster. Bears fans all over Illinois wonder why he has not been moved. Is it value? Is it cost? Is it the other team’s needs?
One has to wonder if it is because Fields might be sticking around. The deadline that Poles spoke to has passed. Is there even the slightest chance that Justin Fields is on the Bears’ roster for the 2024 season?
A comparison to draw is when the Buffalo Bills traded for Stefon Diggs. Although Diggs went for a first-round pick in 2020, the need for Josh Allen to have better receiving options holds true. Josh Allen was a question mark at quarterback, and Brandon Beane said if it didn’t pan out, he would be out of a job. So they went all in.
Josh Allen in 2019 went from a 58.8% completion percentage to 69.2% in 2020. Allen climbed from 3,000 yards passing to 4,500. Allen has 20 passing touchdowns in 2019, to 37 in 2020. Just about every stat improved once Allen gained Diggs as a weapon.
The problem is Fields was given a weapon last year in DJ Moore. His statistics remained virtually the same. Fields was given a chance, and although former offensive coordinator Luke Getsy did not help him out, he did not capitalize on that chance.
SI.com thinks, “This is all leading is one undeniable conclusion, and, as stated, it’s not going to please the Justin Fields people.”
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