The Chicago Bears face a difficult decision at quarterback. What else is new, right? Justin Fields has continued to show flashes of progress as a passer this season. His pocket presence has improved somewhat, and he’s managed to keep his interception total down. At the same time, he’s still way too inefficient and inconsistent. This is why fans are split. Some think Fields deserves another year, hopefully with another infusion of talent around him. Others think this is who he is as a quarterback. Presuming the Bears land the #1 pick, it’s time to cut bait and move on.
Those two paths seem like the only ones open to GM Ryan Poles. However, former scout and longtime NFL Network analyst Bucky Brooks doesn’t think that is the case. He understands the mentality around the Fields issue, but there is another possibility on the table to consider.
It is an interesting idea. The San Diego Chargers weren’t sure what they had in Drew Brees after an up-and-down 2003 season. So they swung a deal in the draft with New York to select N.C. State quarterback Philip Rivers. Breese remained the starter for another year, and he responded with his first Pro Bowl run, throwing 27 touchdowns to only seven interceptions. Brooks’ idea is obvious. Draft a QB and issue an open challenge to Fields.
The Chicago Bears are unlikely to enact that idea.
For one, Brees had a longer contract back then. San Diego could afford to be more patient with him. That isn’t the case with Chicago. Standard rookie deals go four years. That means 2024 will be Fields’ last cheap season at quarterback. If the Bears decided on this course of action by Brooks, they would have to pick up his 5th-year option, which comes at a cost of over $20 million in 2025. If Fields doesn’t respond to the challenge as hoped, then the team just delivered a hit to their salary cap for no reason. QB contracts in the early 2000s were way cheaper than they are now.
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The truth is Poles won’t consider this option. It just isn’t feasible. There will be a strong market for Fields’ services if the Chicago Bears decide to move on. They are more likely to trade him for one or two draft picks and move forward with whomever they take at #1 than doubling down on two guys. The organization wants no part of the amount of drama that would cause in today’s social media age.
