The Chicago Bears find themselves in a challenging position as the Justin Fields trade market presents no favorable options following the commencement of the free agency frenzy.
The NFL quarterback carousel kicked off on Monday with the opening of the league's legal negotiating window, and it didn't bode well for the Chicago Bears.
Key quarterbacks swiftly found new homes, further clouding the prospects of trading Justin Fields. Kirk Cousins secured a lucrative four-year, $180 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons, while Russell Wilson opted for the Pittsburgh Steelers to compete with Kenny Pickett. Additionally, Baker Mayfield returned to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The absence of favorable moves concerning Fields continued as the second wave of quarterback-needy teams refrained from pursuing him. Despite initial interest from the Las Vegas Raiders, they opted for Gardner Minshew instead. The New England Patriots added Jacoby Brissett and plan to select a quarterback with the No. 3 overall pick.
Potential landing spots for Fields diminished further as the Minnesota Vikings secured Sam Darnold, and the New York Jets signed Tyrod Taylor as a backup for Aaron Rodgers. Similarly, the Cleveland Browns reached an agreement with Jameis Winston.
With no clear landing spot in sight, Fields faces the prospect of entering the 2024 season either in a training camp battle for the starting position or as a backup.
The stagnant market for Fields reflects teams' reluctance to value him as a guaranteed starting quarterback, especially with the Bears likely to select Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.
While the Bears aren't obligated to trade Fields, General Manager Ryan Poles expressed a desire to support Fields with a fresh start. The Bears are wary of drafting Williams and introducing him into a locker room that has staunchly supported Fields. Moreover, they are hesitant to ask Fields to mentor Williams, given his aspiration to establish himself as a franchise-caliber quarterback in the NFL.
As the trade market remains subdued, the Bears must prioritize maximizing Williams' potential. This could involve trading Fields before mandatory minicamp, even if the return falls short of expectations.
Potential landing spots for Fields include the Seattle Seahawks, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals, and possibly the San Francisco 49ers.
| POLL | ||
12 MARS | 127 ANSWERS The Chicago Bears find themselves in a challenging position as the Justin Fields trade market presents no favorable options following the commencement of the free agency frenzy. Will the Bears find a way to trade Fields? | ||
| yes | 32 | 25.2 % |
| No | 95 | 74.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
