When the Bears selected Justin Fields in the first round three years ago, the entire city of Chicago celebrated. There was actual agreement: the team had finally gotten it right. After decades of ineptitude at the position, the team had found its man.
Not nearly, it appears.
Chicago, which has the No. 1 overall pick for the second year in a row, appears to be set to select a new quarterback in April. Caleb Williams is the clear favorite to be the first name called when the 2024 NFL Draft begins in Detroit, but other quarterback prospects Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels are also popular. If the Bears do choose a signal-caller, they will almost definitely send Fields, who is still revered by many in and out of
Fields’ pro career to this point has been marred by inconsistency. Some of the lows (turnovers, missed reads, sacks) have been of his own making, for sure, and typical of a young passer finding his footing in the league. But many of the valleys during his three years in Chicago can be attributed to extenuating circumstances (coaching, supporting cast, roster turnover, injuries) — a fact not lost on Bears faithful.
Even now, with the opportunity to restart the all-important, cap-saving QB clock, there’s real trepidation in the fan base about moving on from Fields. And understandably so. His natural game-changing ability is undeniable. If only his elite playmaking skills could be properly nurtured and developed, the 24-year-old could become a Pro Bowl fixture. To see that potential realized in another uniform … Packers Super Bowl-level pain for Bears supporters.
Fields’ uncommon mix of arm talent and agility is why he was my preseason pick for 2023 Offensive Player of the Year (a prediction that, however, proved far smarter in the season’s second half than in the first). When you consider his leadership qualities, it’s an obvious decision for me: I’d rather rock at No. 1 than take a chance at No. 1 overall.
If Bears GM Ryan Poles decides he’d rather ride with Fields going forward (which, again, seems unlikely as things stand), the bounty Chicago would bring in by trading the top pick could not only set up the franchise for a deep playoff run as soon as next season, but also lead to the type of talent infusion that fuels consistent postseason appearances — something this organization hasn’t known since the 1980s. And if for whatever reason, Fields were to remain closer to his floor than his ceiling when his contract expires in two years (assuming the fifth-year option would be exercised), what should be an absolutely loaded roster (via free agency and the draft) would provide the support needed for a new quarterback to succeed.
It was shortly after the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine that Chicago agreed to trade away last year’s first overall pick. Could something similar happen in Indianapolis during this year’s event? If so, how much might a trade net the Bears? Here are four feasible trade packages compiled by NFL Media Senior Researcher Jack Andrade. QB-needy teams could hypothetically offer Chicago to trade places at the top of the draft board.
