Justin Fields has been one of the hottest names of the NFL offseason.
For a while, there was a feeling the Chicago Bears may keep Fields, who finally showed significant steps forward in 2023 after slowly finding his way as the team’s starting QB since getting drafted in the first round out of Ohio State.
Justin Fields, Chicago Bears, Justin Fields trade
But now, most reports believe it’s a near certainty the Bears move on from Fields and draft USC QB Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft.
In the event the organization opts to trade him, Ryan Poles wants to trade Fields as soon as possible, to give him more time this offseason to prepare for the upcoming season.
But are the Chicago Bears bound to trade him? A new report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter reveals Fields has supporters in the organization.
“Justin Fields is a talented quarterback,” Schefter said on ESPN. “I think there are people from that organization that would like to see him stay there, too, which is just one more little wrench to throw in there. A lot going on with Justin Fields. It should be sorted out here in the next week.”
As Schefter said, the situation should be sorted out next week. We are officially less than a week from the NFL free agency opening. And free agents Kirk Cousins, Baker Mayfield and Russell Wilson are bound to have an impact on Fields’ trade market.Ezoic
A league source confirmed to NBC Sports Chicago’s Josh Schrock that the Falcons checked in with the Chicago Bears on Fields. The nature of the conversation was unknown, but there’s interest for Fields. His name has also been attached to the Steelers, Vikings and Raiders.
Justin Fields, Chicago Bears, Justin Fields trade
But, according to a separate report from Schefter, the trade market isn’t as “robust” as the Bears had hoped it would be for Justin Fields.
“I don’t think the market for him is as robust as the Bears and he had thought,” Schefter said on “The Pat McAfee Show.” “They talked about hoping to move on from him if they’re comfortable with a quarterback in this draft by the start of free agency.”
So, then, the question becomes — are the Fields willing to take a smaller return for Fields than they had hoped? Or, will their return on Fields sway them in their quarterback decision?
Poles and company will have to make a decision soon enough. It’s fair to wonder if the Bears brass leaked this new Schefter report about Fields having support within the building in an attempt to drum up interest for a potential trade. Only time will tell.
Justin Fields, Chicago Bears, Justin Fields trade
When the Chicago Bears landed the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, most people assumed it was the end of Fields with the team.
While there’s been plenty of chatter about a potential Fields trade, former NFL general manager Mike Lombardi says there isn’t much, if any, market, for the 2021 first-round pick.
I talked to a lot of people at the Combine and I couldn’t find a team,” Lombardi said on “The GM Shuffle” Thursday. “If I were Philly, I would trade for him. Because I think if you put him behind [Jalen] Hurts and run the six-back offense with him, he might go in there and play good.”
Justin Fields, Chicago Bears, Justin Fields trade
The Eagles could use an upgrade at backup quarterback from Marcus Mariota, so surely Fields would fit that bill, should Philly even be interested in acquiring him.
Getting back to the lack of interest in Justin Fields, Lombardi doesn’t seem to be the only person hearing this. Denver-based NFL insider Benjamin Allbright said the same thing on X/Twitter earlier today.Ezoic
He believes the best case for the Chicago Bears QB is to land a backup role somewhere.
“I tried to talk about this a while back, but got shouted down by his fan club,” Allbright said. “He’s likely to be a backup somewhere else this year. QB competition at best.”
Justin Fields started 13 games for the Chicago Bears in 2023, completing 61.4% of his passes for 2,562 yards, 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions while adding 657 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
