Caleb Williams has officially declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, which means that a Justin Fields trade is almost inevitable. The former first-round pick has improved on an annual basis but is going to be a free agent before long. Fields’ highlights are as good as anyone’s, but the jury is still out on whether or not he can be consistent enough to be a legitimate franchise quarterback. Rather than gamble on Fields figuring it out, it makes sense for the Bears to essentially reset the clock by selecting Caleb Williams with the first-overall pick.
There are two elite quarterback prospects in this class in Williams and Drake Maye. These players will likely be the first two off the board, which means that every other team looking for a quarterback will likely have some level of interest in a Justin Fields trade. Chicago’s current quarterback is going to have a decent market, but the actual expected price varies depending on who you ask.
I keep hearing two 2nds + a day 3 pick is the best offer they'll likely get.
And two of the four listed teams here have no interest. https://t.co/S1rOnMmBXq
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) January 15, 2024
Conflicting Reports Emerge on Justin Fields Trade
This is pure speculation, but Benjamin Allbright’s report seems more likely. Fields is a special talent, but no team should be giving up a top-10 pick for a veteran who may or may not have what it takes to be a franchise quarterback. Additionally, whoever trades for Fields is going to have to make a big decision on his contract before long, and if you give up a first-round pick, you’ll have to pay him franchise quarterback money. Anything is possible, but chances are, Allbright is right about the cost of a Justin Fields trade.
Allbright’s report also mentions that two of the four teams Kiper lists are not interested in Fields. Once again, this is pure speculation, but chances are, those two teams are the Broncos and Dolphins. Tua Tagovailoa crashed and burned down the stretch and had a terrible performance in the playoffs, but it’s hard to imagine Miami completely giving up on him. The team could sign somebody like Jacoby Brissett to compete with Tagovailoa, but they probably won’t give up multiple second-round picks and openly invite a quarterback competition. The Broncos, meanwhile, will move on from Russell Wilson, but they probably won’t try for a Justin Fields trade. Sean Payton and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi prefer quarterbacks that excel in the short passing game with quick, accurate throws, and that is not how Fields plays the game.
This leaves the Falcons and Raiders as two of the most likely Justin Fields trade destinations, and it’s easy to see why both teams would want him. Atlanta and Vegas both don’t stand a chance at Williams or Maye and have rosters that could compete for a playoff spot with the right quarterback. However, these two are far from the only teams that could trade for Justin Fields. Perhaps these aren’t the most likely destinations, but the following three teams could join Atlanta and Vegas as potential suitors.
Other Potential Trade Destinations
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers started Mason Rudolph in a playoff game. There is no situation where a team could do that without having a serious problem at the quarterback position. Kenny Pickett has not played well during his first two years in the league, and Pittsburgh will probably look for an upgrade in the coming months. Justin Fields would be the best quarterback on the Steelers since the 2018 version of Ben Roethlisberger, and a trade could be exactly what this team needs to go on a deep playoff run for the first time since 2016.
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are stuck with Derek Carr for at least one more season. The team is currently over the 2024 salary cap by $75.5 million, and releasing Carr would cause his cap hit to jump to $52.8 million. However, just because he’s on the roster doesn’t mean that he’ll be starting. A Justin Fields trade might require some draft capital, but he’s still on his rookie contract, so he wouldn’t be a major financial burden. Dennis Allen knows he needs to get to the playoffs in 2024 to save his job, so he probably won’t care about the long-term consequences of sending draft picks away to acquire a better quarterback.
Minnesota Vikings
If Kirk Cousins departs in free agency, the Minnesota Vikings are in serious trouble. The quarterback was playing the best football of his career prior to his season-ending Achilles injury, and the team cannot use the franchise tag to keep him from reaching the open market. This team is talented enough to go on a deep playoff run, but not having a quarterback is a non-starter. Justin Fields is not as good as Kirk Cousins, but a trade might be the only way for this team to come close to realizing its potential.
Main Photo: Tork Mason – USA Today Sports
