Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields has shown significant progress these last few games, demonstrating a greater proficiency for throwing the ball and not simply relying on his mobility to move the ball downfield. The 3-year veteran is giving the appearance of being the type of player the team hoped he would become when they drafted him with their 2021 first round NFL draft pick (11th overall).
But that doesn’t mean that they will keep him as their starting QB.
Chicago Bears Likely To Trade Justin Fields?
There’s a growing sentiment that the Bears will move on from Fields and select USC quarterback Caleb Williams with their overall no. 1 pick in the upcoming 2024 draft. If that is indeed the case, the 24-year-old will be traded for draft considerations in order to further build around the incoming Williams.
In a piece by Yahoo! Sports senior NFL reporter Charles Robinson, several unnamed NFL general managers were asked about the Bears’ likely path when it comes to Fields. They were, apparently, unanimous in the feeling that trading the current starting quarterback would be the team’s likely course of action.
What The NFL GMs Say
At the root of the decision, they opined, was the basic drive for a new general manager to want to roll with his own people. Ryan Poles, who got the position in January of 2022, inherited the young Fields and may simply want to select his own quarterback to move the team forward.
“Nobody wants to be judged or fired because they didn’t make the previous guy’s draft picks work,” one NFC GM was quoted as saying. “Especially quarterback and head coach — if it’s not working out or it’s lagging, you should get an opportunity at changing it your way. Quarterbacks and head coaches are so much of your culture, so it’s kind of hard when you didn’t put those pieces in place and you’re taking the hits anyway.”
There’s also the feeling that Poles and the Bears may simply not want to get tagged with the scorn that comes with passing on an overall no.1 pick elite prospect quarterback for the second straight draft.
“When you pass on talented quarterbacks to lean into a guy’s development, which the Bears did when they traded No. 1 last year, you have to be completely sure of that decision to do it a second time,” an AFC general manager said. “They might not have taken C.J. Stroud with the first pick last [offseason], but he was there for them to do it. Caleb Williams is a no-brainer, and if they get the top pick, he’s there for them. Sometimes the gamble is continuing to pass on players. Fields doesn’t get over the hump, you don’t want to be the guys that passed on both Stroud and Caleb Williams.”
Money Is Also A Reason For Chicago Bears Trading Justin Fields
Moving on from Justin Fields may also be a decision based on economics.
The Bears would have to decide on triggering Fields’ fifth-year option for a significant chunk of change if they held on to him. That may be the cherry on top when it comes to the decision to deal Fields away.
“It just buys you more time and a much cheaper contract to keep adding pieces to build the team,” another NFC GM said, commenting on the decision to draft USC’s Caleb Williams with the Bears’ no.1 pick.
“It would be a clear-cut decision to draft Caleb for me,” an AFC general manager would add. “The fact that we’re in Year 3 and [they] don’t want to exercise the fifth-year option tells me what I need to know. I just don’t think Fields can win consistently as a passer, even though he is gifted physically.”
What Would The Chicago Bears Get For Justin Fields?
Somewhat disappointing was what the GMs questioned felt Field would bring the Bears back in return if he were dealt. None believed that he’d bring a first round pick in return. The most optimistic felt that he’d bag the Bears second and fourth round picks. The most pessimistic believed that Fields would only be worth a third round pick.
Ryan Poles and the Chicago Bears have a lot to think about.