It is still early. Things change fast during an off-season. Yet, based on what several insiders are hearing, it feels like Justin Fields has played his last down with the Chicago Bears. GM Ryan Poles is likely to select a quarterback with the #1 overall pick this April, with Caleb Williams being the heavy favorite. Plenty of people aren’t ready to believe it. They think Fields did enough to justify another season. Trade the pick, accumulate more assets, and keep building the roster. Alas, it doesn’t appear things are headed that way.
Former Jets and Dolphins GM Mike Tannenbaum was one of the few people last year insisting the Bears should dump Fields and select a quarterback #1 overall. They chose to trade the pick instead. This time around, Tannenbaum is even more confident it will happen. Chicago’s decision to interview Kliff Kingsbury, USC’s quarterbacks coach, is a dead giveaway they’re heavily researching these young quarterbacks. Not only is the longtime personnel man convinced the Bears trade Fields, but he even has a good idea of when it will happen.
Justin Fields trade talks likely ramp up around that time.
The scouting combine begins on Thursday, March 2nd. The offseason soon follows on March 13th. Trades tend to happen around that time period. Teams convene at the combine to evaluate players, but it’s also a great chance to discuss possible deals. It was at the 2023 combine where Poles hammered out the blockbuster deal with Carolina for the #1 pick. Presuming he has a strong idea of which QB he likes in the 2024 draft, then he will invite any and all offers during that weekend for Fields. Expectations are that the Bears should receive somewhere in the vicinity of a 2nd round pick.
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As always, it comes down to how many teams will be interested. Not all of the ones who need a quarterback will want to take chances on the second-tier options behind Williams, Maye, and Jayden Daniels. All are expected to be gone within the first five picks. From there, they have a decision to make. Spend a 1st rounder on Bo Nix, Michael Penix, and J.J. McCarthy, or take a calculated gamble on Justin Fields. It isn’t a stretch to believe there will be two or three teams that explore the possibility.
