Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles stated ahead of the NFL Combine that he wanted to make a final decision on quarterback Justin Fields quickly. With many teams starting to head out of Indianapolis, it appears a deal could be on the horizon.
While the Bears have publicly expressed an interest in keeping Fields as their franchise quarterback, the expectation around the NFL has been that he’ll be traded. Despite receiving strong support from the Bears’ locker room, the belief is Chicago’s front office has already made up its mind.
- 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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That was the buzz heading into the NFL Combine, with Poles and fellow general managers viewing the upcoming in-person meetings as an opportunity to hammer out an agreement. Chicago also wanted to do right by Fields, if it moved him, finding him a new home before NFL free agency began.
According to Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline, the Bears are close to finalizing a deal to trade FIelds and there is a belief that an agreement could be reached before the NFL Combine officially wraps up on Sunday. Pauline also notes that Fields is expected to return to Georgia, being traded to the Atlanta Falcons.
Related: Justin Fields trade could happen ‘quickly’ amid urgency in Chicago
However, there appears to be one other NFL team still involved. During an appearance on SportsCenter, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that the Pittsburgh Steelers remain in the mix for Fields and conversations with the Bears are ongoing.
“There’s been some conversation about the Pittsburgh Steelers, maybe something can be figured out there.”
Adam Schefter on NFL trade rumors regarding Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields
- Justin Fields contract: $6.004 million cap hit in 2024, fifth-year option for 2025
Entering this week, the New England Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders had also been tied to Fields. However, New England appears focused on adding a veteran quarterback in NFL free agency and then pairing him with a rookie in a draft-and-develop situation. As for the Raiders, it was reported when Las Vegas hired offensive coordinator Luke Getsy that the organization believed Fields was more responsible for the Bears’ offensive issues last year than Getsy.
If both the Patriots and Raiders are out of the mix, then it stands to reason this becomes a two-team race between the Falcons and Steelers. If only two clubs remain, a bidding war would likely net Chicago a third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft order in exchange for Fields.
