In my latest article I did a full first round mock draft for the 2024 season. At the #1 spot right now are the Chicago Bears, they have this pick from trading with the Carolina Panthers a couple years ago. The #1 pick in the NFL draft is extremely important for a lot of reasons, but the main one is that you get to pick who you think is the best player in the draft class for your team. The question swirling around the NFL is, do the Bears keep Fields? Or, do they trade him away and start all over again with Caleb Williams?
The Chicago Bears find themselves at a crossroads in the 2023-2024 offseason. They face the decision of whether to keep or trade their promising young quarterback, Justin Fields. While there are rumors circling the NFL right now, there are many compelling reasons why the Bears should not part ways with Fields and instead commit to the development as the future face of the franchise.
Talent
First and foremost, Justin Fields represents a rare and coveted assets in the NFL, a young quarterback with immense potential. The Bears invested a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft for a reason. He had an extremely impressive college career where he showcased a combination of athleticism, arm talent, and football IQ that could elevate the team to new heights. Trading him away risks squandering this investment and potentially watching Fields blossom into a star elsewhere.
Quarterback instability
It’s no secret that the Bears have struggled at the quarterback position for sometime before drafting Fields. They selected Mitchell Trubisky in the first-round of the 2018 NFL draft and he is now a backup in Pittsburgh. The Bears have struggled to establish stability at the position in recent years, with a carousel of starters hindering offensive cohesion. Trading Fields would only continue this cycle of instability, denying the team the opportunity to build a cohesive offensive system around a talented young quarterback. By keeping Fields, the Bears can provide him with the consistency and support necessary for his development.
Caleb or Marvin?
With this #1 pick, the Bears have the opportunity to draft either quarterback Caleb Williams from USC or Marvin Harrison Jr. from Ohio State. Both of these players have unbelievable talent and they both have the chance to go first overall in the draft. But, going with what I explained above, in order to keep the consistency with this system you need to get Fields the tools necessary for him to be successful. By draft Harrison Jr. with this pick you are giving Fields a dynamic weapon that will no doubt enhance Fields’ development while also providing Harrison with a young explosive quarterback. This is no knock on Caleb at all, he is an incredible player and will absolutely be a franchise player for the team that picks him.
Bad history
The NFL is full of cautionary tales of team that prematurely gave up on young quarterbacks, only to watch them flourish on another team. Patience and persistence have proven key factors in the development of successful quarterbacks. By keeping the faith in Fields and providing the necessary support, the Bears may find themselves rewarded with a quarterback capable of leading them for years to come.
In conclusion, trading away Fields would not only risk losing a valuable asset but also undermine the Bears’ efforts to establish some sort of stability at the quarterback position. Fields’ potential on and off the field makes a very compelling case for the Bears to keep him and commit to his development for years to come.