The recent trade involving Sam Howell perfectly highlights the escalating dilemma faced by the Bears regarding Justin Fields.
The probable destination for the current Bears starting quarterback, Justin Fields, vanished on Thursday with the Seattle Seahawks acquiring 23-year-old quarterback Sam Howell from the Washington Commanders in exchange for two pick swaps. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Howell is anticipated to compete with Geno Smith for the starting position with the Seahawks in 2024.
This trade by the Seahawks underscores the challenges the Bears confront, assuming their intention to trade Fields and select Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft remains unchanged. While the Bears haven't solidified their plans to draft Williams, all signs point to a forthcoming decision pending medical evaluations and top-30 visits. Although circumstances may shift, as of now, with 42 days until the draft, that seems to be the direction.
On the surface, one might argue that a team seeking a young quarterback would be wiser to invest in Fields over Howell, particularly given Fields' exceptional playmaking ability with his legs. In truth, several teams who have already filled their starting or backup quarterback positions might have been better served by selecting Fields instead of their current choices.
However, there are evident complications in a potential Fields trade, which the acquisition of Howell brings to light.
Firstly, Fields' contract likely poses an issue. Howell, as a fourth-round pick, has two years remaining on his contract, with the Seahawks set to pay $2.085 million over the next two seasons. In contrast, Fields is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and any team acquiring him will have to decide on his fifth-year option ($25.6 million) before he even takes a snap. Acquiring teams could consider negotiating a bridge extension, similar to the one the Packers executed with Jordan Love last offseason. Yet, committing to such an extension might prove challenging for some teams before they witness Fields perform in their system and assess his potential as a franchise quarterback.
Furthermore, while Howell had a league-leading 21 interceptions last season for the Commanders and struggles with holding onto the ball too long, resulting in a league-high 65 sacks, Fields has begun to address similar issues in 2023. Nonetheless, Howell's cheaper contract and longer runway provide Seattle with the opportunity to develop him before facing significant financial decisions.
Fit also presents a challenge. Fields has demonstrated that he can excel when an offense is tailored to his strengths, a task former Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy struggled with in recent seasons. While franchises are typically willing to adapt their offensive schemes for a quarterback they drafted, it becomes a tougher sell when acquiring a quarterback as a low-cost gamble.
This challenge is particularly pertinent for first-year head coaches and offensive coordinators, such as those in Seattle and Atlanta. This consideration extends to teams like the Tennessee Titans, one of the few remaining potential destinations for Fields.
Given these factors�the contractual implications, scheme fit concerns, and narrowing destinations�the Bears and general manager Ryan Poles face the task of fulfilling their pledge to "do right by" Fields once the team's decision is made. Sending him to a team where he can compete for a starting position seems increasingly unlikely, leaving the next best option as placing him with a team that can facilitate his development, even if only as a backup.
Options are limited, and the Bears' most prudent strategy is patience. While they haven't actively shopped Fields, discussions about the young quarterback have taken place. They are aware of his market value and understand its potential fluctuations.
The draft presents an opportunity to find a suitable trade partner, especially as teams may reassess their quarterback needs after the initial frenzy settles. The recent quarterback carousel�from Cousins to Darnold to Lock and Howell�illustrates the obstacles to any potential Fields deal.
The Bears can navigate these hurdles, but it will require time and strategic maneuvering.
| POLL | ||
14 MARS | 116 ANSWERS The recent trade involving Sam Howell perfectly highlights the escalating dilemma faced by the Bears regarding Justin Fields. Will Justin Fields get traded? | ||
| yes | 51 | 44 % |
| No | 65 | 56 % |
| List of polls | ||
