While no one outside the Chicago Bears likely knows what will happen (if they even know themselves), the consensus points to Caleb Williams taking his talent from USC to the Windy City. While the Bears may select Williams No. 1 overall, it may not necessarily spell the end of Justin Fields’ career in Chicago either.
Related: See where Justin Fields lands in Sportsnaut’s NFL QB rankings
Fields, who was drafted 11th overall in 2021, is entering the final year of his contract, and has an additional $22 million contract option available for 2025. The Bears don’t necessarily have to make a decision on Fields until the fifth-year option deadline on May 2.
Could Chicago Bears keep Caleb Williams and Justin Fields?
While many anticipate Justin Fields trade rumors to heat up around the start of the NFL Scouting Combine on Feb. 26, it’s possible the team doesn’t part with their soon to be 25-year-old quarterback.
According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, the Chicago Bears have discussed keeping Fields, whether they draft Caleb Williams or not.
“The idea of keeping Justin Fields in Chicago, even if the Bears drafted a quarterback with the first pick (which ESPN’s Adam Schefter suggested Sunday), is an intriguing idea that the team has discussed. It’s doable, too, because Fields is only due $3.2 million in cash for 2024, a number that’s manageable even for a backup at the position, relative to the market.”
SI’s Albert Breer on Justin Fields’ future with Chicago Bears
While the concept is possible, and Fields having a low cap number helps, it’s an unlikely approach, and not one that most expect.
Ultimately, Breer doesn’t anticipate both quarterbacks on the Bears next season.
“That said, most teams try to avoid any sort of awkwardness in the quarterback room if they’re drafting a young one. And while Fields is a really good person, it would naturally be weird for a No. 1 pick to have a player the team traded up to take at 11th sitting next to him. So my guess would be, again, Fields gets traded.”
