Change is afoot in the NFL as the coaching carousel settles down and the Super Bowl concludes, paving the way for upcoming free agents to find new landing spots. As is customary, much attention is directed towards the movement of quarterbacks, and this year is no exception. The consensus among NFL experts is that the Bears will select Caleb Williams as the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming April draft, leading to speculation about the potential trade of Justin Fields. This sentiment is shared by oddsmakers in Las Vegas.
Considering a trade scenario involving the current Bears quarterback, the specifics of any deal would naturally depend on the team involved in negotiations with the Bears. Here, we present a range of mock trade packages, varying from reasonable to extravagant.
Atlanta Falcons Eyeing Promising Talent: No. 43 Overall Pick Holds Key to Future Success
Atlanta emerged as an immediate destination in the Justin Fields trade rumors, given their wealth of young playmakers such as Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts. The addition of a dual-threat quarterback like Fields, who poses a threat on designed runs, has the potential to elevate their offense to new heights. However, the lingering question revolved around whether Arthur Smith, the former Falcons coach who passed on Fields in the 2021 draft, was the right fit for Fields. With Smith now departed from Atlanta, the opportunity presents itself for a storybook landing spot for Fields, considering his close proximity to Atlanta while growing up and his admiration for Michael Vick, whom he cheered for. From the Bears’ perspective, a trade with the Falcons could be enticing, as the Falcons’ second-round pick holds a higher position than any other team on the list of potential destinations. Nevertheless, it remains a possibility that the Falcons may prefer another rookie quarterback and utilize their first-round pick to address the position.
No. 51 Overall Pick Holds the Power to Shape Pittsburgh’s Future
Adam Schefter’s recent report indicating that Mike Tomlin, the Steelers’ head coach, is a supporter of Justin Fields has sparked significant discussion and even impacted the market. While Kenny Pickett has shown glimpses of first-round talent during his time with the Steelers, his overall performance has been somewhat lackluster. Consequently, it is plausible that Pittsburgh may consider adding another quarterback to compete for the starting role, similar to their signing of Mitchell Trubisky in 2022.
Remarkably, the Steelers recently released Trubisky, and Mason Rudolph’s contract is set to expire in March, necessitating the addition of new quarterbacks to the team. Notably, Arthur Smith, who passed on Fields during the Falcons’ evaluation in 2021, now serves as the offensive coordinator for the Steelers. Rumors have already surfaced regarding a potential reunion between Smith and Ryan Tannehill, who achieved success together in Tennessee in 2019 and 2020. This dynamic further adds intrigue to the Steelers’ quarterback situation.
Seahawks Seek Hidden Gems: No. 78 Overall Pick Holds the Key to Seattle’s Draft Success
Geno Smith experienced a career resurgence during his time in Seattle, but with the arrival of new head coach Mike McDonald, the dynamics may shift. McDonald, formerly the defensive coordinator for the Ravens, might lean towards a quarterback who possesses greater mobility, having witnessed the accomplishments of Lamar Jackson. Alternatively, the Seahawks’ new offensive coordinator, Ryan Grubb, who joins from his previous role as the Washington Huskies’ offensive coordinator, could advocate for the selection of Michael Penix Jr. instead. However, it’s worth noting that the Seahawks traded their second-round pick to the Giants in exchange for Leonard Williams, which could limit their options. Consequently, the likelihood of a trade involving the Bears and the Seahawks seems somewhat diminished, at least for now.
