Following a dip in the trade market, Justin Fields emerges as the betting favorite to join a rival of the Bears.
The Chicago Bears have been strategically observing the trade market for quarterback Justin Fields, and their patience seems to be paying dividends.
According to the BetOnline Sportsbook, Fields is now the frontrunner to start Week 1 for the Minnesota Vikings, with odds listed at 3-to-1 as reported by Alex Shapiro of NBC Sports Chicago on March 8. This development comes amidst ongoing negotiations between the Vikings and soon-to-be free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins, particularly regarding the issue of fully-guaranteed money in a potential new contract.
Shapiro notes that the majority of bets on Vikings quarterbacks have been placed on Fields, which could explain the shortened odds for him to take over in Minnesota. Interestingly, Fields is also being considered as a potential starter for other teams, with odds of 4/1 to start for both the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Las Vegas Raiders, and 5/1 odds for the Atlanta Falcons.
The idea of Fields joining the Vikings isn't entirely new, as ESPN's Jeremy Fowler first mentioned it on March 3, along with other potential destinations such as Atlanta, Pittsburgh, and Las Vegas. However, Adam Schefter of ESPN later reported that Fields' market had cooled significantly during and after the NFL Combine.
For instance, the Pittsburgh Steelers, previously rumored as a prime suitor for Fields, are now reportedly not actively pursuing a trade for him, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic. This narrows down the potential trade partners for the Bears, leaving the Vikings, Falcons, and Raiders as the top contenders.
While there has been speculation about the Cleveland Browns potentially entering the conversation for Fields, the likelihood remains low due to their significant investment in starting quarterback Deshaun Watson.
In summary, with the trade market evolving and certain teams stepping back, the Vikings, Falcons, and Raiders emerge as the primary candidates for Fields' potential landing spot.
| POLL | ||
7 MARS | 40 ANSWERS Following a dip in the trade market, Justin Fields emerges as the betting favorite to join a rival of the Bears. Will the bears trade Justin Fields? | ||
| yes | 14 | 35 % |
| No | 26 | 65 % |
| List of polls | ||
