The Chicago Bears went to the NFL Combine hopeful they would leave with more confidence in top quarterback prospect Caleb Williams and the trade market for former first-round pick Justin Fields. While Williams seems destined to be the Bears’ first overall pick, things aren’t looking promising for Fields.
Entering February, most believed Chicago could net a second-round pick and possibly more in exchange for Fields. While turnover issues and a high sack rate have plagued him, he’s shown flashes of being a high-end starter and is one of the best athletes in the NFL.
- Justin Fields stats 2023: 86.3 QB rating, 61.4 percent completion rate, 16-9 TD-INT, 2,562 passing yards, 657 rushing yards, 5.3 yards per carry, 4 rushing touchdowns in 13 games
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Despite the Bears’ insistence that they might keep Fields, teams around the NFL knew he was going to be traded. Chicago made it clear at the NFL Combine that it would like to move him sooner rather than later, giving him clarity on where he will be playing in 2024. However, with NFL free agency looming, Fields and the Bears might be waiting a while.
According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the idea of Chicago receiving a second-round pick “no longer seems likely” thanks to a very limited trade market for his services. In fact, some NFL teams have reportedly informed the Bears’ front office that they aren’t sure if Fields is even “more of a sure thing” than free-agent quarterbacks like Sam Darnold and Drew Lock.
- Justin Fields contract: $6.004 million cap hit in 2024, fifth-year option for 2025
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” It’s an odd offseason in which the supply at the quarterback position seems to be higher relative to the demand than usual, which works in favor of the teams who are looking for quarterbacks and likely drives the price down in these kinds of trade talks.”
ESPN’s Dan Graziano on the quarterback market, Chicago Bears’ Justin Fields
ESPN senior NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler also noted there are some around the league beginning to question if the Bears have even received an “enticing” offer for Fields. Chicago has pushed back on that claim, stating it will exercise patience and is confident in its approach, but the market has not developed how the club hoped.
Ultimately, the Bears and Fields will likely have to play the waiting game. The New England Patriots, Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons are all competing for Kirk Cousins and Baker Mayfield. Meanwhile, The Las Vegas Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants are focused on free-agent quarterback Russell Wilson. Until all those dominoes fall, Wilson will be stuck in Chicago.
