The Chicago Bears have a lot to unfold regarding the situation at the quarterback position. As the Combine, Free Agency, and the NFL Draft approaches, the Bears must decide what to do at QB. According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, the Bears will meet over the next few weeks regarding the Bears plan at QB. The key question revolves around what exactly the Bears plan to do regarding the quarterback position.
Chicago Bears Finalizing Plan at QB
Bears Received Trade Inquiries Regarding Quarterback Justin Fields
During the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, Chicago staffers got inquiries about Fields’ availability and his worth. It’s important to clarify that the Bears were not actively looking to trade Fields; instead, the discussions involved assessing his market value and the potential trade cost. From an external standpoint, estimates of Fields’ trade value vary, ranging from a late first-round pick to as low as a third-round pick. There are a lot of quarterback-needy teams out there. If the Bears decide to trade Fields, it’s better to do it sooner rather than later.
When The Bears Plan At QB Will Be Finalized
Last year, Bears GM Ryan Poles pulled the trigger to trade the No. 1 Overall Pick to the Carolina Panthers on March 10th. This is right around two weeks from the start of the Combine. Breer mentioned two reasons why Poles traded the pick early. “One, the Panthers met the premium that Chicago sought for trading the pick that early. Two, it involved a veteran player (D.J. Moore) and, for cap and need purposes, Poles wanted to have clarity in what he’d be working with in free agency.” It’ll be best if he can trade Fields before Free Agency because the more teams figure out their guy at QB, the more Fields’ trade value decreases.
Bears Thoughts On Justin Fields
The Bears love Fields. However, the signs are pointing towards Fields’ time ending in Chicago. It’s a unique situation for the Bears. If they didn’t have a top-two pick, they’d likely keep Fields and continue to build around him. On the other hand, the opportunity of resetting the QB contract and drafting a generational prospect in Caleb Williams seems too enticing for the Bears. Fields is a special player, and Breer had this to say regarding the Bears thoughts on Fields.
“Now, the Bears love Fields as a person, and really like him as a player, so I would say that whatever they do in the next few weeks will be with respect to a guy who gave them a lot, physically and otherwise, over the last three years.”
What’s Next for Justin Fields?
It’s not set in stone that Fields will be traded. The Bears could decide that keeping Fields is a better route. Nonetheless, prevailing opinions among analysts and league executives lean towards the likelihood of Fields being traded. Some interested teams could include the New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, and Pittsburgh Steelers. As a quarterback, Fields demonstrates incredible dual-threat abilities. He should find success on whatever team trades for him if he were to be traded.
Side Note: Justin Fields unfollowed the Chicago Bears on Instagram.
Main Photo: Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK