When the Bears selected Justin Fields in the first round three years ago, the city of Chicago collectively celebrated. There was real consensus: The team finally got it right. After decades of futility at the position, the franchise had found its guy.
Chicago, in possession of the No. 1 overall pick for the second year in a row, appears ready to anoint a new QB1 in April. Caleb Williams is the universal favorite to be the first name called when the 2024 NFL Draft opens in Detroit, but fellow quarterback prospects Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels also have fans. If the Bears do indeed take a signal-caller, they will almost certainly send Fields — still beloved by many in and out of Halas Hall — to the highest bidder in the weeks to come.
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’ rare combination of arm talent and mobility is why he was my preseason pick for 2023 Offensive Player of the Year (a take that, admittedly, looked far wiser during the season’s second half than its first). Factor in his leadership traits, and it’s an easy choice for me: I’d rather rock with No. 1 than roll the dice 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 when Chicago agreed to deal away last year’s first overall pick. Could we see something similar materialize in Indianapolis at this year’s event? If so, what might a trade actually net the Bears? With the help of crack NFL Media Senior Researcher Jack Andrade, here are four realistic trade packages QB-needy teams could theoretically offer Chicago to swap spots at the top of the draft board.
