Could we see a Justin Fields trade from the Chicago Bears ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft? Rumors have persisted that this could actually happen.
Said rumors have now morphed into a report that general managers around the NFL believe Fields will actually be dealt after just two seasons in Chicago.
Boasting the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, general manager Ryan Poles is doing his homework on the top quarterbacks in the annual event, Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud.
While it wouldn’t make much sense for the downtrodden Bears to actually trade the high-upside youngster, there’s something to these rumors and reports. If Fields is actually dealt, there’s going to be a huge market for his services. Below, we look at five detailed trade scenarios involving the former first-round pick.
Related: Sportsnaut’s updated NFL trade rumors
Las Vegas Raiders add young quarterback
- Raiders get: Justin Fields
- Bears get: 2nd round pick in 2023, 3rd-round pick in 2023, 2nd-round pick in 2024, Hunter Renfrow
Las Vegas’ decision to move on from longtime starter Derek Carr has the team in search of a new franchise quarterback. Reports have linked the Raiders to four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers. But it remains to be seen whether he views the Raiders as a fit. Rodgers could also opt to either return to the Green Bay Packers or retire altogether.
Free-agent options aren’t too great, either. Jimmy Garoppolo is injury prone. Him playing behind a questionable offensive line isn’t the greatest of ideas. Baker Mayfield, Carson Wentz, Ryan Tannehill and Sam Darnold are mere stopgap options at best. Meanwhile, it’s highly unlikely that the likes of Geno Smith, Daniel Jones and Lamar Jackson hit the open market.
Exhausting three picks and Hunter Renfrow for a potential franchise quarterback makes a ton of sense for general manager Dave Ziegler and Co.
Related: Top 2023 NFL free agents
Justin Fields heads to Maryland
- Commanders get: Justin Fields
- Bears get: 16th pick
Commanders head coach Ron Rivera indicated recently that the team is not looking to spend a lot of capital on the quarterback position. But with 2022 fifth-round pick Sam Howell slated to be the only signal caller under contract heading into NFL free agency, those plans might have to change.
Rivera himself heads into the 2023 season on the hot seat. He can’t afford to throw out lackluster options such as what we saw with Carson Wentz and Taylor Heinicke a season ago. Exhausting a mid first-round pick on someone of Fields’ ilk and upside would make a ton of sense.
- Justin Fields stats (2022): 60% completion, 2,242 passing yards, 1,143 rushing yards, 25 total TD, 11 INT
Imagine a dual-threat quarterback in that of Fields working with the likes of Antonio Gibson, Brian Robinson, Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson in Washington. That’s a whole lot more weapons than he has had in Chicago.
Related: Moves the Indianapolis Colts must make after hiring Shane Steichen
Indianapolis Colts get their quarterback
- Colts get: Justin Fields
- Bears get: 2nd round pick in 2023, 3rd-round pick in 2023, 2nd-round pick in 2024
The Indianapolis Colts’ decision to hire Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen as their next head coach sets up a rather interesting situation at quarterback. Indy is obviously going to be hunting for a QB1 after the failed Matt Ryan experiment. It’s in this that Colts owner Jim Irsay had a telling quote during Steichen’s introductory press conference.
“You just felt that Shane had a lot of that offensive magic, which is hard to find in this league. Offense, in my mind, can be a little more complex. It takes a lot more time to develop, knowing we’re going to have to find a young quarterback to develop, that’s a key factor.”
Jim Irsay on Colts’ quarterback plans
This seems to suggest that Indianapolis plans to go quarterback with the fourth pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. C.J. Stroud from Ohio State or Kentucky’s Will Levis are options.
But why spend such a high pick on an unproven quarterback when you can go out there and get a youngster with a recent track record of success? That selection could be used to acquire a star at another position or move down for more assets. Given what Steichen did with a fellow dual-threat quarterback in Jalen Hurts, this seems to be an absolutely perfect fit for Justin Fields.
Read more: 5 quarterback trades we’d love to see during NFL offseason
Tampa Bay Buccaneers find Tom Brady replacement
- Buccaneers get: Justin Fields
- Bears get: 19th pick
From Baker Mayfield and Derek Carr to Jimmy Garoppolo, the Buccaneers have been linked to pretty much every available quarterback since Tom Brady announced his retirement. The team is in clear win-now mode despite Brady hanging them up. It boasts a veteran-laden roster and needs to figure out what to do under center.
Fields could actually make the most sense. Tampa boasts a stud offensive tackle tandem in Donovan Smith and Tristan Wirfs. It has one of the best wide receiver duos in the league, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
Not only would Fields provide Tampa Bay with that young franchise guy, his dual-threat ability would improve the league’s 32nd-ranked rushing attack under new offensive coordinator Dave Canales.
Related: Sportsnaut’s 2023 NFL mock draft
San Francisco 49ers right Justin Fields wrong
- 49ers get: Justin Fields
- Bears get: 2 3rd-round pick in 2023, 2nd-round pick in 2024, 3rd-round pick in 2024
Imagine the narratives here. San Francisco passed up Fields for Trey Lance after trading up to the third pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. General manager John Lynch and Co. could circle back to this option with the quarterback situation seemingly a hot mess in Northern California.
Rookie seventh-round pick Brock Purdy played extremely well after taking over for an injured Jimmy Garoppolo last season. In fact, he led San Francisco to the NFC Championship Game. Unfortunately, an elbow injury he suffered in said game places the 2023 season in question. Meanwhile, there’s reportedly a lack of confidence in Lance after he was injured less than two full games into his sophomore season.
The dynamics in San Francisco have changed big time since they opted for Lance over Fields. Primarily, how the offense is now run through Pro Bowl running back Christian McCaffrey. The idea of Fields teaming up with McCaffrey, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk in San Francisco’s offense might be too hard for Lynch to pass up on.
In this scenario, San Francisco moves some of the several third-round picks it has acquired from minority coaches and front office personnel heading to other teams for promotions. It then opts to acquire some value for Lance in a separate trade. We just love the idea of Justin Fields in Northern California even if it means giving up more than mentioned in this trade scenario.