The New England Patriots are in the market for a quarterback this offseason with Mac Jones unlikely to return. While there are several intriguing options in the 2024 NFL Draft, it appears Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields could also be a viable possibility for the Patriots.
New England struck out on Jones in the 2021 NFL Draft, watching the 15th overall pick go from earning a Pro Bowl selection as a rookie to becoming one of the worst NFL quarterbacks over the last two seasons. Even with Bill Belichick leaving the organization, Jones’ fate appears sealed.
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- Justin Fields stats 2023:Â 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
Fortunately for the Patriots, they have several options in 2024. New England could pursue a veteran like Kirk Cousins or Baker Mayfield in NFL free agency, acquire a quarterback being floated in NFL trade rumors or target Jayden Daniels with the No. 3 pick in the NFL Draft. However, there may be another option on the table for Jerod Mayo.
In a Patriots’ mailbag for the Boston Herald, Doug Kyed noted that if New England intends to trade down from the third overall pick then a trade for Fields is viable. However, the Patriots’ interest in the quarterback is dependent on a new contract.
“I’ve been told not to rule out anything at quarterback. If the Patriots would rather take an offensive lineman, wide receiver or a player at another position at No. 3 overall (or trade down), then making a deal with the Bears for Justin Fields seemingly would be an option. That being said, Fields’ team needs to decide on his fifth-year option this offseason. He’s proven he can be a starter, but he’s in the lower tier among NFL quarterbacks. The Patriots need someone better than that to compete now and in the future.”
Doug Kyed on potential New England Patriots interest in Justin Fields
The upside of trading for Fields is that he’s a proven starting quarterback with significant upside and New England might only have to package a second- and fifth-round pick to acquire him from Chicago. The Patriots could then recoup those picks by trading down from No. 3 overall, which would put them in a better position to draft one of the top offensive tackles.
- Justin Fields contract:Â $6.004 million cap hit in 2024, fifth-year option for 2025
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However, Fields’ contract status and his inconsistency complicate matters. There is a looming fifth-year option on his contract and if it is exercised, he would be owed more than $20 million fully guaranteed in 2025. For any team that acquired him, that decision would have to be made long before Fields even practiced for his new team.
With the Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly out on Fields, however, there might only be a few suitors willing to make a move for him before the 2024 NFL Draft. If the Patriots determine the price is justifiable, it could allow them to then follow up by trading down and building a better team around Fields with a deeper pool of draft picks.
