The Chicago Bears hold the two biggest dominoes of the 2024 off-season. One is the #1 overall pick in the draft. The other is quarterback Justin Fields, who most view as the top trade option available. His fate likely comes into focus over the next couple of weeks. Expectations are that a decision will be reached by GM Ryan Poles around the time of the NFL scouting combine. That is when he can mingle with other general managers around the league to start having serious discussions. It is the same place where the trade for the #1 pick with Carolina came together last year.
What nobody knows for sure is where Fields will end up. There are plenty of quarterback-needy teams out there. Many of them aren’t in a great place to take one in the draft. So unless they’re prepared to go after a top free agent, a move for Fields would be their best bet. Las Vegas was recently mentioned as having interest. People keep talking about Pittsburgh as well. However, insider Matt Lombardo of Fanbuzz is hearing it will be a different team based on what he’s heard around the league.
You can probably guess which one.
“Here are some informed predictions on how what promises to be a fascinating quarterback carousel winds up looking like when the music stops spinning later this spring…
…Justin Fields: Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are going to come away with a franchise quarterback this offseason. Nothing matters more to the franchise’s trajectory than getting the right signal caller to maximize the young and explosive weapons in place.
Owners of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, there seems to be significant momentum building towards the Bears trading Justin Fields.
Fields’ skill-set, particularly as a runner and his ability to extend plays to buy time on passing downs with his legs, makes him an ideal fit for an offense that features explosive and versatile running back Bijan Robinson and field-stretching wide receiver Drake London.”
It seems like a scenario that would make Justin Fields happy.
Everything about it makes sense. Fields was born and grew up in Georgia. He idolized Michael Vick as a kid, doing crazy things in a Falcons uniform. Getting a chance to play for the same franchise would undoubtedly be appealing. He would have an immediate ally in the front office. Former GM Ryan Pace, who drafted him in 2021, holds a high position with the team. Last but not least, he’d take over an offensive group high on talent led by Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts.
Atlanta doesn’t have a starter on their roster. They could try the free agent market but that seems unlikely. They do hold the #8 overall pick, but the possibility of one of the top three quarterbacks on the board dropping to that spot doesn’t seem realistic. In such a case, trading for Justin Fields makes sense. They can probably get him for a 2nd round pick and a Day 3 pick. His contract is still affordable, enabling them to stay aggressive in free agency while also using that 8th pick at a position of need.
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We’ll see if it comes together.
If Atlanta thinks that Fields would be a franchise quarterback because they have better weapons then wouldn’t it be easier to get better weapons like Atlanta? 1 more receiver like DJ and the top TE in the draft, One more fast RB. I believe this year by trading down they could build a team practically any QB could win with.
It may make for an interesting discussion but Justin Fields will play in Chicago next year.
Slip, it’s because Justin fields fans are mostly clueless. Beer bellied daaaaaaaaa beeeeaaaarrrssaaa types who know nothing about the sport. They don’t look at stats, or if they do they dont know how to analyze them, nor know how to assess qualitatively what’s he’s doing on the field for indicators as to whether he has a shot to figure things out. Fields spent the most time in the pocket last year (3 way tied) and had among the lowest comp percentages in the league. That is not improvement. That means his line gave him time and he still missed or… Read more »
Hey Slip, believe it or not, I know of at least one Bears fan that thinks JF is holding the offense back. That person thinks the sooner we get rid of the athlete trying to play QB, the sooner we will be competitive. It’s kind of an opposite take to the fans suggesting keeping JF at all costs.
Judging by my up and down votes, it seems most fans would rather have JF than to actually beat the Packers.
I will check this again at some point soon. But it seems the majority are OK with da Bears being losers to the Packers.’
Not sure why we would need a conversation if this is the case.