Justin Fields has one game left to make his case. His performance against the Atlanta Falcons was one of his best of 2023. The Chicago Bears cruised to a 37-17 victory, with the quarterback accounting for 313 total yards and two touchdowns. Now, he has to do something he hasn’t done in his career. Fields must beat the Green Bay Packers. Everybody knows the story. He is 0-5 against the Bears’ most hated rival, with seven interceptions and three fumbles in those games. If the Bears want to trust him with guiding them to a Super Bowl, he must first prove he can get past the biggest divisional obstacle to it.
Nobody knows for sure what GM Ryan Poles will do. It will be his decision. Many believe he will move on from Fields, using the Bears’ newly-acquired 1st overall pick to reset the QB position. Others think he can’t pass up the chance to trade the pick again, securing multiple future 1st round picks. Nobody knows for sure. That said, there is one other bit of information that is important. When will that decision come? Courtney Cronin and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN provided details on that.
“The Bears have not begun the process of determining or simulating trade value at the quarterback position in earnest, according to a front office source.
After the NFL combine in March, the Bears should have a clear idea on the direction of their quarterback room. Within this context, it’s notable that the Panthers deal was made on March 10.”
The Bears aren’t going to rush the Justin Fields decision.
Nor should they. Some critical events will occur between now and March, including the Senior Bowl and scouting combine. That will give Poles some vital opportunities to see the top quarterbacks in this draft class up close. He will also get to interview them. That information will go a long way in determining whether he wants to keep Fields or move on. If Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, or somebody else makes a strong enough impression, the decision will likely happen fast.
Several teams are expected to enter the quarterback market this off-season. Most of them won’t be in a position to take one in the draft, not without trading up. Atlanta, Las Vegas, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, and Tampa Bay could all make inroads for a trade. Initial projections are that Justin Fields will fetch at least a 2nd round pick. Given how he’s played lately, it isn’t crazy to think that might bump up to a 1st. One thing we can bet on is that Poles won’t make a decision until he has all the relevant information. Nothing about it will be impulsive.
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