Chicago Bears fans may not like it, but it’s obvious the Justin Fields trade rumors aren’t going away. More than a few prominent people in the industry believe the organization should pivot away from the former 11th overall pick for one of the top quarterbacks in the 2023 draft class. Trade Fields for multiple picks and use #1 overall on their preferred choice, be it Bryce Young of Alabama, C.J. Stroud of Ohio State, or Will Levis of Kentucky. It would be a bold move by GM Ryan Poles, especially after the flashes of potential Fields showed in 2022.
Greg Gabriel worked in the scouting business for many years, most with the Bears as a scout and scouting director. He knows the situation Poles is in. Based on his long experience in the business and what he’s heard from his many connections around the league, he’s confident Fields isn’t going anywhere.
It comes down to two primary reasons.
“Poles moved players he did not see as having a future with the club. Some of these players were very good and brought handsome returns to the Bears regarding draft picks. It also rid the Bears of much cap space that will enable them to build the team as they see fit. So basically, 2022 was nothing more than laying the foundation for the future. Many of these people don’t understand that Justin Fields is a huge part of that foundation.
If the Bears were to trade Fields, they wouldn’t be taking a step forward but instead taking a huge step back. In essence, they would be starting over again with a young quarterback from the 2023 class who almost every evaluator I know across the League feels isn’t as good a player as Fields. That is not a smart way of doing business but rather the opposite…its downright stupid!”
The NFL is a talent-driven business. Fields has more talent than any QB in this draft class. He already proved that with his record-breaking rushing season. While he didn’t have an overly great year passing the ball, he improved enough to justify more time.
The Justin Fields discussions feel like nothing but smoke.
Yes, Poles said he plans to evaluate the top quarterbacks in this draft. Any GM worth his salt would do that. It’s his responsibility to take a hard look at every prospect, regardless of position. Maybe one of the guys in this group make an unforgettable impression, but that doesn’t seem likely. Each of them has flaws that are difficult to dismiss. Young is very undersized. Levis had accuracy problems and doesn’t sense pressure well. Stroud tends not to play well outside the structure of the offense.
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It feels like this battle will be won in the interviews. Unless one of them can hit all the right notes with Poles, nothing will change. Justin Fields will remain the starting quarterback in 2023. The off-season will be spent building the roster around him. Nobody will chastise the Bears for such a decision. Everybody saw what happened last year. Enough happened to warrant letting things play out. A better supporting cast and another year in the same system should yield better results.
