The Chicago Bears have a franchise-altering decision to make for the second consecutive offseason, deciding between quarterback Justin Fields and a blockbuster trade and then building around the No. 1 overall picks. Following over a month of speculation, a decision could be fairly close.
Chicago is in this very position because of the choice it made last year. On March 10, 2023, the ears traded the No. 1 overall pick to the Carolina Panthers for wide receiver D.J. Moore, the 9th and 61st overall picks in 2023 and a future first (2024) and second-round pick (2025).
Related: Chicago Bears likely return from Justin Fields trade revealed by NFL insider
The Panthers finished the season with the worst record in football, giving Chicago the right to the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft order. This time around, however, the decision isn’t nearly as easy with a draft class headlined by Caleb Williams and Drake Maye.
While a majority of NFL teams believe they know what Chicago will do with the first pick and Fields already, speculation could soon end with a decision date potentially approaching.
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated detailed Chicago’s plan, which includes meetings over the next few weeks to finalize their plans at quarterback. The expectation is the Bears’ choice will be made right ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis which starts on Feb. 26.
- 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
Related: Chicago Bears mock draft 2024
Breer also notes there is expected to be a substantial market for Fields if he is made available. It’s part of the rationale for why the Bears will likely have a decision made ahead of the NFL Combine. With a majority of general managers in attendance, it will allow Chicago’s general manager Ryan Pace to start talking with other clubs behind the scenes.
For now, the widespread belief is Fields name will start being floated in NFL trade rumors at the end of February as Chicago moves into a new era at quarterback. If Fields is traded, with Chicago likely receiving a Day 2 and Day 3 pick in return, the Bears would likely use the first pick on Williams.
