The Chicago Bears are allegedly still in the running to trade quarterback Justin Fields this summer, even though a number of possible destinations appear to be drying up.
Field Yates of ESPN reports that there is “no inclination” that the Bears plan to hold onto Fields. Instead, all the evidence point to a trade where the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft will go to a quarterback, most likely Caleb Williams of USC.
It was widely believed at the beginning of the offseason that the Bears would be able to trade Fields for as high as a second-round choice, given that there seemed to be multiple clubs who had a significant need at quarterback.
But most of the clubs have addressed their requirements through free agency now that the Bears have waited as long as they have.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers re-signed Baker Mayfield, the Atlanta Falcons signed Kirk Cousins to a massive contract, the Minnesota Vikings signed Sam Darnold to potentially replace Cousins, the Las Vegas Raiders signed Gardner Minshew to compete with Aidan O’Connell, and the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Russell Wilson to compete with Kenny Pickett.
Though they are selecting second and third overall in the draft, the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots, who both need quarterback help, are good choices to select the other two top signal-callers available, Jayden Daniels of LSU and Drake Maye of North Carolina.
It can be claimed that, should things go that way, only the Vikings or Denver Broncos would be willing to trade for Fields in order to have him start for them in 2024.
In the draft, the Vikings and Broncos have the 11th and 12th overall picks, respectively. Although it is unlikely that they will trade up or select Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, who appears to be a lock for a first-round selection, they could try to trade up.
With Fields potentially becoming a star and returning to haunt the Bears on a regular basis, it is reasonable to ask if the team might be willing to sell him to divisional rivals the Vikings.
That means Denver could be the only place where Fields has a chance to play extensively next season.
The Broncos released Wilson this offseason and have not replaced him, leaving Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci as the only quarterbacks on their roster.
Fields, who was the No. 11 pick in the 2021 draft, would undoubtedly be their best option under center if they were to trade for him.
While Fields still has a lot of growing to do as a passer, he rushed for 1,143 yards in 2022, and he made strides throwing the ball last season, setting career marks in completion percentage (61.4 percent) and passing yards (2,562), while also throwing 16 touchdown passes and nine interceptions in 13 games.
Unfortunately for the Bears, the Broncos likely know they have leverage in trade negotiations since there may not be many suitors left, so Chicago could have to settle for a lesser return than it initially wanted.
Leave a Reply