The Chicago Bears haven’t made their intentions at quarterback known yet. GM Ryan Poles likely won’t until at least March, when the off-season officially begins. Expectations are that things will come into focus after the scouting combine in February. That hasn’t stopped several insiders from feeding the rumblings that Justin Fields is likely out. Poles will select a new quarterback #1 overall. That means Fields will be traded at some point. It is only a matter of where and when. Hence why the Raheem Morris development down in Georgia could be a big deal.
The Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator stunned the NFL world when he secured the Atlanta Falcons head coaching job, beating out supposed favorite and all-time legend Bill Belichick. It’s a great story, considering his first shot in Tampa Bay didn’t end how he’d hoped. The first order of business for Morris is figuring out what the Falcons will do at quarterback. Desmond Ridder isn’t the future. They hold the #8 pick in the draft, but it’s unlikely one of the top three options will be available. That leaves them with three choices.
Trade up for one of them.
Sign a free agent.
Trade for a veteran.
The first two options feel unlikely. One is too expensive, and the other isn’t likely to feature any worthwhile options. That leaves trading for a veteran, which feels important since a source informed SM that Morris is an admirer of Fields. He has been for some time. While that guarantees nothing, it does make Atlanta an even more viable landing spot than it already is.
Subscribe to the BFR Podcast, your home for all things Chicago Bears.
Morris has seen tougher challenges than Justin Fields.
He was the head coach in Tampa Bay when they selected Josh Freeman in the 1st round in 2009. The young QB had a quality season with 25 touchdowns and six interceptions a year later. While it proved a one-season thing, it was a sign that Morris understood how to nurture the position. Since then, he’s learned from guys like Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay. It isn’t a stretch to think he’d believe he can help Fields play better, especially with the strong array of talent the Falcons have on offense.
Don’t forget former Bears GM Ryan Poles holds a top position in Atlanta’s front office. He drafted Justin Fields in 2021. There is no question he’ll be pushing the idea as well. Besides, the price tag is far more manageable. Expectations are the Bears will get a 2nd round pick and maybe a 4th or 5th rounder for Fields. That would allow the Falcons to keep their 8th overall pick, using it for other positions in the draft. In the end, the decision will sit with GM Terry Fontenot. He passed on Fields in the 2021 draft. Maybe he’s swayed to take the swing this time.
