The NFL free agency period and new league year will begin early next week as the Chicago Bears are still looking for trade partner for quarterback Justin Fields. Over the past few weeks, the trade market for Fields has cooled significantly as the number of potential suitors and compensation level has dissipated as other signal-callers have become viable options. The abrupt decline in a once-promising market should reinforce the desire to utilize the first overall selection on a quarterback in the upcoming NFL Draft, as another year with the team’s current starting quarterback could result in wholesale changes at the end of 2024.
NFL Teams Choosing To Go In A Different Direction Is Really Troubling Given Who They Are Choosing Over Fields
Last month, the potential trade market for Fields was as hot as it could be as many prominent NFL analysts believed that Chicago’s third-year quarterback could be traded in return for a high-round draft pick, even as high as a first-rounder. Bears’ general manager Ryan Poles appeared to have a highly contentious bidding war building between multiple teams rumored to be highly interested in a trade, including the Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers, Las Vegas Raiders, and the New York Giants. Unfortunately, due to several quarterbacks slated to reach free agency now, talks have dropped off significantly.
The decreasing trade market is especially troubling given the alternate options other NFL teams are considering rather than potentially acquiring Fields. Atlanta appears to be heavily focused on signing former Vikings’ quarterback Kirk Cousins. Although one of the best quarterbacks in the league, Cousins is 36 years old and is coming of a torn Achilles injury that ended his 2023 season. The Falcons view the former Pro Bowl signal-caller as a better option than Fields despite being vastly older, less mobile, and more expensive.
Pittsburgh is considering multiple free-agent veteran options to address their starting quarterback position, as they could target Russell Wilson or Ryan Tannehill. Although both quarterbacks are former All-Pros with significant playoff experience, neither have good the past two seasons with their respective teams. The Denver Broncos benched Wilson at the end of the 2023 season to avoid a potential bonus payout and released him two years after one of the largest trades in league history.
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Teams looking at other older and costlier options provide perspective on how Fields is seen around the league and how they view him as more of a risk than the other quarterbacks. The Falcons and Steelers are teams needing to make the playoffs in 2024, as the signal-caller position was a glaring issue for both teams in 2023. Trading Fields has been a heated debate in Chicago and across the country as many fans and analysts believe he could reach his full potential with another team, but it appears NFL teams don’t believe he can achieve that potential now.
It is especially concerning as Fields may now buck a long-standing NFL trend of franchises trading for former first-round quarterbacks, believing they could be the one to bring out the best in the player. Over the past few years, former first-round talents, including Deshaun Watson, Sam Darnold, and Baker Mayfield, have been traded for lucrative compensation involving multiple draft picks. If the current market continues, Chicago may only get a mid-round selection in return for Fields.
Declining Fields Market Further Proves Why The Bears Are Right To Draft A Quarterback
Since the end of the 2023 season, the fierce debate on whether the Bears should keep Fields or draft a quarterback with the first of their two first-round selections has engulfed Chicago sports, with fans and analysts believing the team should trade the first overall selection for a haul of top-end draft selections. The contingency believes that Poles’ front office can build an elite roster around their current starting quarterback. The theory is rooted in the belief that Fields will mature into an elite-level passer, something that fans and analysts have been waiting for the past two seasons.
If Chicago decides to forego drafting either Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, or Jayden Daniels in favor of keeping Fields, the franchise risks chasing a replacement in the next few years if their quarterback does not take the next step as a passer. Even if the Bears parlay another trade of the first overall selection and draft several Pro Bowl-level players, the team could have to trade away future draft picks to move up to select a prospect or to acquire a veteran talent at the position. Potentially moving the first overall pick again, along with Fields not developing, would prove to be a historically embarrassing decision, given the talent at the quarterback position in the draft.
The lack of interest should be a reinforcer for Chicago as they have leaned towards drafting a quarterback throughout this offseason. If the Bears can’t get high-end compensation, it isn’t their fault, as opposing NFL teams may view Fields as a risk rather than a reward despite his youth, mobility, and cost-friendly rookie contract. Teams choosing older and declining quarterbacks as safer options demonstrate how Chicago’s quarterback and his passing ability are realistically thought of around the league.
Unfortunately, teams aren’t more interested in Fields, but potentially giving up top-end draft selections for a signal-caller lacking consistency as a passer can be an intimidating scenario. The franchises that were initially interested are in a must-win situation and can’t afford to miss out on the playoffs because the third-year quarterback never matured during his fourth season in the league. The Bears may not get the return they expected for Fields, but the declining desire to acquire him should be peace that the franchise should draft a quarterback with their first pick.
@Slip Knotz Sympathy for someone does not mean you feel any compunction to make up for the situation. It’s simply stating that another team, another situation maybe it’s not the same guy. Misfortune is part of life and rarely deserve any more of a break than anyone else.
Agreed though, some act as if they should give JF1 the key to the city. Others just acknowledge that the Bears were ill-prepared to support their second attempt in 3 years at obtaining a franchise QB. Which to me indicates that they never learned their lesson.
Vreese—They didn’t win rings until Mahomes showed up. You need a franchise QB to win consistently. CW is our best shot at obtaining one. It’s that simple.
Luckily our GM knows this.
@Tred Agree completely. Ha ha, take the crack pipes away from those who believed in a 1st rounder for JF1. That was funny. This is a poker game on a grand scale. Teams hold draft picks, the Bears hold JF1. Who folds or antes up first is the only question. A real world case of “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” A team may have a plan and divulging it creates a value they don’t want to pay unless they have to. The fact that there are other more proficient QBs certainly makes a difference. But those QBs… Read more »
The current market signifies nothing beyond – A) there are at least three veteran QB starters available as FA’s as of now, B) JF1 is months away from a decision needing to be made on his option, C) other teams are actively working to drive down his value before trying to make a deal
The solution to these issues is patience. If someone is willing to pick up his option, they’ll still trade for him later. If not, they won’t. So, you take your time. Right now, this is a case whereby doing nothing leaves nothing undone.
One thing I have noticed about Fieldy’s is that they all think he is owed something from the team. “He got a bum deal and they should give him a break”.
It’s pro ball and no one owes you squat. Grow up.