Recent reports indicate the Chicago Bears are beginning the process of trading quarterback Justin Fields.
If general manager Ryan Poles asks other teams what he can potentially get for Fields, it probably means USC quarterback Caleb Williams’ film has wowed him. If Caleb impresses the Bears during the interview process at the NFL Combine (or before the draft), then it seems like a slam dunk that he will be the next quarterback for the Chicago Bears.
Even though it is not ideal to draft a quarterback to play under a head coach who might be on the hot seat, Williams’ college resume and abilities make him a better player than Justin.
That is how good Williams is and that is not meant to be a knock toward Fields. Williams’ is already a better pocket passer than Fields. His throwing motion allows the ball to get out quicker than Fields. Both can make exciting things happen with their legs. Justin is clearly faster, but the pocket presence and the release gives Williams the advantage.
Also, time is no longer on Justin’s side. Fields will be in the final year of the cheap portion of his rookie contract. Drafting Caleb resets the quarterback rookie contract clock. Add the ability to throw from the pocket better, release the ball quicker, and the salary cap dynamics and that is why moving on from Fields makes sense.
Plus, Fields could fetch as high as a second-round pick and the Chicago Bears currently do not have a pick in that round. It was worth giving the Washington Commanders that pick for Montez Sweat. At the same time, a lot of talent is going to come off the board between No. 9, the team’s other first-round choice, and No. 75 in the third round.
Even if Fields does not bring back a second-round choice, he will bring a decent return of picks and the Bears currently only have six picks.
If the Chicago Bears decide to trade Fields, they better move fast for these five reasons.
Russell Wilson May Hit the Open Market
The Denver Broncos are moving on from Russell Wilson even though he threw for over 3000 yards and 26 touchdowns last season. Broncos head coach Sean Payton and Wilson turned out not to be a good fit and they are going to go their separate ways.
Wilson can be released by March 17th to avoid paying him $39 million in guaranteed money. Some teams believe Wilson is still a good starter in the NFL despite struggling in Denver.
Teams like Pittsburgh and Atlanta, who feel like they are close to contending for a Super Bowl might decide to go with Wilson and his championship resume than Fields who has a losing regular season record—even if most of the losses are not his fault.
Kirk Cousins is Available
He is coming off a torn Achilles injury, but Cousins is still the definition of a solid starting NFL quarterback. Cousins is not eligible to get the franchise tag since his deal voids after the beginning of the NFL’s new league year.
The Minnesota Vikings could be inclined to bring him back since the team’s playoff hopes fell apart after Josh Dobbs turned into a pumpkin after a Cinderella season.
The Vikings are also not in a great draft position to get North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye or LSU’s Jayden Daniels.
Minnesota still has enough pieces to compete for the playoffs if they bring back Cousins. There is a chance that the Vikings will pivot away from Cousins and pursue Wilson in free agency.
With an uncertain market and two established veteran quarterbacks expected to hit the free-agent market, the Bears would be smart to agree to trade Justin Fields shortly after the combine to maximize returnhttps://t.co/8LMgVg8TSh
— Bears Talk (@NBCSBears) February 19, 2024
Cousins could also decide to leave Minnesota for the highest bidder. That means quarterback-needy teams like the New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders, Steelers, Falcons, and Broncos could pursue Cousins before trying to get Fields.
It would also mean one less team in the market for a quarterback if Cousins were to leave the Vikings.
Baker Mayfield Not Getting the Franchise Tag
Another veteran quarterback might be headed for the open market. Reports are out that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will use the franchise tag on safety Antoine Winfield Jr.
Mayfield had a monster season in Tampa and resurrected his career. He led the Bucs back to the playoffs when it looked like it was a tank season for Tampa.
Baker leaving Tampa has one benefit as it will leave a team with contention hopes needing a quarterback. Maybe the Buccaneers would be interested in trading for Fields.
On the flip side, it would put the Bucs in the running to go get Cousins and Wilson first as those are two quarterbacks with playoff experience. Also, Tampa might not be the ideal trade partner compared to Atlanta since the Falcons' picks are earlier in the draft.
Regardless, Mayfield hitting free agency takes another team out of the market for Fields.
Potential Rise of McCarthy, Penix Jr, or Bo Nix Draft Stocks
Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix did not have the best Senior Bowl appearances. You still cannot ignore their college experience and production.
If Brock Purdy has proven anything, a lot of college reps matter. Those two have a lot.
Also, McCarthy is another quarterback who has the talent to be considered a first-round pick. He is coming off winning the National Championship and proved that he can at least operate an offense at a high level.
A team like the Falcons, Broncos, or Vegas could decide to go with one of these three players and the cheap rookie contract that goes along with them. They can be paired with a bridge quarterback while they develop. Ryan Tannehill and Jimmy Garoppolo are expected to be on the market. Those two can be signed as veteran mentors while one of those three quarterbacks develop.
That is the downside of Fields being in the last year of his cheap rookie contract. A team can pick up his fifth-year option but it will not be nearly as cheap as it is under the rookie deal.
Teams May Punt This Year for a Shot at Ewers and Sanders
Teams could go through the draft process and just decide a draft pick is not worth it. Instead, they may decide to punt and see if they will be in a position for Quinn Ewers and Shedeur Sanders.
While they are not viewed as generational as Williams, they both have the talent to be high-level starters in the NFL.
A team like the Giants could decide to pay Daniel Jones one more season and see if they have a shot to draft one of those two players a year from now.
Pittsburgh could similarly run it back with Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph and if the results do not work out, they then can go after Ewers and Sanders.
We saw some quarterback-needy teams like the Washington Commanders give Sam Howell a shot instead of trying to draft Will Levis when he was still on the board. Now, they are in a prime spot to take whoever the Bears decide not to go with.
The key is there are options out there that could jeopardize Fields' market. That does not mean the Bears should rush to make a trade, but they should also not be patient. Plus, Williams will be drafted after offseason workouts start. It would be kind of awkward to have both Caleb and Justin in the same building at that juncture.