Will the Chicago Bears trade the No. 1 pick or part with Justin Fields? The offseason can’t get here soon enough, but the 2024 NFL Draft is still two months away.
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Yet, some expect discussions of a possible Fields trade to heat up during the NFL Scouting Combine. Right now, all signs continue pointing to the Bears taking a quarterback with the first overall pick. Yet, a lot could change between now and the start of April’s NFL Draft.
NFL insider suggests Chicago Bears need historically crazy offer to trade No. 1 overall pick
The Chicago Bears found themselves in a similar position last offseason, with a young, recently drafted first-round pick entrenched as the starting quarterback while holding the first overall pick.
Yet, there wasn’t a Caleb Williams in last year’s draft class.
That, along with another lackluster year from Justin Fields as a passer, could be the difference between standing pat or trading down again.
However, unlike last season, the Bears seem focused on using the pick to take the top-ranked prospects on their draft board instead of acquiring draft capital and players who can help them win now, like D.J. Moore.
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, even if the Bears did consider trading down, it would require a team making a “historic” offer of draft picks and “overall compensation.”
Another source said the potential cost to trade up to No. 1 would be “crazy.”
None of this is earth-shattering news, as Williams is viewed as the most exciting NFL Draft prospect since Trevor Lawrence was the top pick in 2021.
When Bears GM Ryan Poles was asked about his big decision back in January, he acknowledged the growth of Fields, but he also noted the rarity of the situation.
“We are going to turn every stone to make sure that we are going to make a sound decision for our organization. I did think Justin got better. I think he can lead this team. But at the same time, there is a unique situation.”
Chicago Bears GM on Justin Fields, holding No. 1 pick
The Bears have a franchise-altering decision to make this offseason, but unless a team makes an offer too good to refuse, we could see Chicago draft a quarterback in the first round for the second time in the past four years.
