For the next three months leading up to the NFL draft, the Chicago Bears can expect to be at the center of numerous rumors. This is the nature of holding the #1 pick, as everything that unfolds during the crucial three-day event will be influenced by their decision at that spot. Last year, the Bears made a notable move by trading the pick, becoming only the third team to do so since the turn of the millennium. This time around, it seems that the consensus in the football world is that they will stay put and select a quarterback, most likely Caleb Williams. This begs the question of what the team will do with Justin Fields.
From a logical standpoint, it would make sense for the Bears to trade Fields to the highest bidder, as there should be a decent market for his services. However, ESPN’s Adam Schefter surprised some before the Super Bowl when he revealed that the Bears had discussions about potentially keeping Fields for another year, even if they were to draft a quarterback. The idea behind this approach would be to utilize Fields in a similar fashion to how Alex Smith was used, allowing Williams or whoever is drafted to learn the offense from the sidelines for a year before taking over as the starter in 2025. While this scenario is possible, Albert Breer of the MMQB expressed his skepticism, stating that he doesn’t believe it will play out that way.
Diversion Tactics? Speculation Grows as Schefter’s Revelation in Chicago Bears Rumor Raises Questions
The concept of retaining Justin Fields in Chicago, even if the Bears were to select a quarterback with the first pick, has generated intrigue and has been a topic of discussion within the team. This idea is feasible, primarily because Fields is owed a manageable cash amount of $3.2 million for the 2024 season, which is relatively affordable for a backup quarterback in the current market.
However, most teams typically try to avoid any potential awkwardness in the quarterback room when they draft a young quarterback. Although Fields is a highly regarded individual, it would naturally create an unusual dynamic to have a player like Fields, whom the team traded up to select at 11th overall, sitting alongside a newly drafted quarterback. Therefore, my expectation would be that Fields will be traded.
(Additionally, it benefits the Bears to create the perception that they are genuinely considering keeping Fields, as it could increase the interest from potential trade partners.)
Should the Chicago Bears Trade Justin Fields to Benefit His Development?
Indeed, the Chicago Bears have faced challenges in handling awkward quarterback situations in recent years, as demonstrated by the Mitch Trubisky and Nick Foles scenario in 2020 and 2021, as well as the situation involving Fields and Andy Dalton. The success of the Alex Smith situation with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017 was largely due to Smith’s extensive experience in the Chiefs’ offensive system at that point. He could step in as a starter and provide stability. However, the same level of stability cannot be guaranteed in Chicago, as the team has just undergone a change in offensive coordinators with the arrival of Shane Waldron. It is unlikely that Fields would be able to execute the new system any better than he did with Luke Getsy’s offense last year.
Furthermore, considering the challenges Fields has faced during the tumultuous transition over the past two years, he has earned the opportunity for a fresh start elsewhere. The Chicago Bears would be wise to trade him, acquiring solid draft picks in return, and move forward with their new quarterback. This would provide clarity and avoid controversies and distractions, allowing their chosen quarterback, whether it be Williams or another player, a clear path to the starting job. However, Bears General Manager Ryan Poles has every reason to make other teams believe that he might keep Fields. Creating this perception could potentially compel other teams to improve their trade offers for him.
