Stay put or move one. That is the dilemma facing the Chicago Bears and GM Ryan Poles with seven games left to play. Justin Fields remains a topic of hot debate among media and fans. Many believe the quarterback has done enough to warrant more time. Others think they’ve seen enough, believing he doesn’t have what it takes to lift the organization out of the mud. Complicating matters further is that Chicago is in line to possibly hold the #1 overall pick again in 2024, thanks to their trade with Carolina. Poles can’t possibly justify passing on a quarterback for the second straight year.
Right?
It depends on who you ask. Former players like Kyle Long and Andrew Whitworth have both come out and said the Bears can’t bring in a young quarterback right now. The roster is nowhere near ready to support one. It would just be repeating the same mistakes made with Fields. Others think Caleb Williams and Drake Maye are way too good of prospects to pass on. Michael Smith, a long-time reporter and insider for the NFL, had some fascinating comments on the situation during the Thursday Night Football broadcast. Adam Jahns of The Athletic picked up on it.
“The Bears lacked picks, cap space, youth and talent,” Smith said. “Poles had to reset the roster, and that process takes more than two offseasons. There were hardly any first-rounders around here when Poles arrived.”
Smith then hit on Poles’ acquisition of Sweat.
“That was a move to get more blue-chip talent in the building,” he said.
And then came this.
“So Justin Fields is under contract for next year and the Bears have the option for the fifth year — and they still believe in him,” Smith said. “A lot can change between now and the draft. But the Bears know this roster still needs to undergo a lot of upgrades around whomever is under center.”
Justin Fields has several factors in his favor.
For one, he played some of his best football before his thumb injury against Minnesota. He threw for eight touchdowns and one interception in the two previous games. As stated above, he still has another cheap year of his rookie contract left. While the 5th-year option is a different discussion, the Bears can postpone the decision for at least one more season if they wish. Doing this not only gives Fields more time to potentially blossom, but it also grants Poles a chance to take advantage of what appears to be a strong crop of talent in the 2024 draft.
Players like Marvin Harrison Jr., Olu Fashanu, Joe Alt, and Brock Bowers all appear to be legitimate blue-chip talents. With two potential top five picks coming their way, the Bears may have an opportunity to land two. That could change the entire trajectory of the franchise. It might also lay a much stronger foundation for the next quarterback if Justin Fields can’t take advantage next season. Much of this hinges on whether or not Poles and the rest of the organization feel Williams or Maye are close to can’t-miss options. If so, then this debate won’t matter.
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If not? An unexpected name could go #1 overall next April.
