An NFL insider discloses the timeline and estimated value of a Justin Fields trade.

Justin Fields, the 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, is on the verge of entering the final year of his contract, with a reasonable salary of $6 million for 2024. Nevertheless, if the Bears have intentions of selecting Caleb Williams or another quarterback, it may be in Chicago's best interest to explore trade options for Fields, seeking the most favorable offer.

Certainly, Fields should not be solely regarded as a quarterback; he is also one of the most formidable runners in football, finishing seventh in rushing yards in 2022. However, the question remains: What would NFL teams be willing to offer for a dual-threat quarterback about to turn 25, who has completed just 60.3% of his passes across 38 starts?

Related: How does Justin Fields compare to other starting QBs?

The trade value of Justin Fields provides a glimmer of hope for the Chicago Bears. Every year, teams come to the realization that they lack a franchise quarterback on their roster, and the Bears may currently find themselves in that predicament, especially if they believe Caleb Williams has a higher potential.

If this is indeed the case, it seems inevitable that discussions about the timeline for trading Justin Fields will commence. However, the burning question on everyone's mind is the potential return the Bears could secure for their former first-round pick. Meanwhile, teams in search of a game-changing player are also intrigued by what it might take to acquire someone who was once considered a potential superstar.

Related: Chicago Bears' 2024 NFL Draft selections

This past Saturday, NFL Draft expert Dane Brugler of The Athletic weighed in on the matter, stating that he anticipates Fields could be traded for "two Day 2 picks." As for the timing, he suggested that talks surrounding a Justin Fields trade could intensify around the start of the NFL Draft Combine on February 26, a period when general managers frequently discuss offseason strategies. However, Brugler also cautioned that the actual trade for Fields might not materialize until closer to the 2024 NFL Draft on April 25.

If the Bears do indeed manage to secure a pair of picks in either the second or third rounds, as Brugler speculates, it would undoubtedly contribute to building a more formidable roster around their new quarterback.