TRADE SCENARIO: Bears Negotiate Deal, Sending QB Fields to AFC in Exchange for Two Draft Picks, Potentially Including a First-Round Selection
As the NFL free agency approaches in March, and the NFL Draft follows about six weeks later, the Chicago Bears' quarterback Justin Fields' trade value remains a hot topic. Trade proposals involving Fields are still circulating, especially since the Bears hold the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft and may opt for a new quarterback. In this scenario, Chicago will spend the coming weeks exploring trade options for Fields to secure the best possible deal.
Chris Trapasso, a CBS Sports analyst, recently put forth a trade proposal on January 26, suggesting a trade of Fields to the Las Vegas Raiders. According to Trapasso's proposal, the Bears would send Fields and a sixth-round selection in 2025 to the Raiders in exchange for a third-round pick in the current year and a conditional third-rounder in 2025. The 2025 third-round pick could potentially become a second-rounder or even a first-rounder based on Fields' performance in Las Vegas.
While Trapasso's trade pitch values Fields higher than a first-round pick, it also includes safeguards for the Raiders against potential issues like injury, regression, or a lack of progress.
Fields, a former first-round pick himself (No. 11 overall in 2021), entered his third NFL season in 2023 with high expectations, including MVP speculation. However, he didn't make the anticipated progress as a passer, and a combination of erratic play and a thumb injury in Week 6 affected his trade value across the league.
Many teams might be interested in developing Fields due to his upside, but it's uncertain whether Chicago can secure a first-round pick for him in a trade this offseason, unless he consistently performs at a high level as he did in specific games during the season.
Fields had standout performances against the Denver Broncos and Washington Commanders (Weeks 4 and 5), throwing four touchdowns in each game, but his thumb injury interrupted his progress. After missing four games, he returned on November 19 against the Detroit Lions. While his offensive output wasn't as prolific after his return, he managed to account for 8 total touchdowns with just 3 interceptions over the final seven games of the season, leading the Bears to a 4-3 record during that span.
Despite some NFL executives suggesting that Fields' trade value falls in the range of a second- or third-round pick, his status as a starting-caliber quarterback with a cost-controlled contract, combined with his unique physical skill set, makes him a valuable asset for the Bears. The Bears are not obligated to trade Fields just because they may select another quarterback in the draft.
A potential deal involving Fields, whether with the Raiders or another team, could materialize before the draft or after the quarterback shuffle in free agency. It's also possible that it might occur after the draft, when the pool of teams in need of a quarterback has narrowed down, potentially leading to more desperate trade partners.
If Bears' general manager Ryan Poles is patient, there's no reason for Chicago fans to assume that Fields can't fetch a first-round pick in return. In a worst-case scenario, Fields or another highly-talented rookie quarterback can spend a season learning the ropes behind Fields on the bench. The Bears can then revisit the trade market ahead of the 2024 regular-season deadline or during the 2025 offseason.
| POLL | ||
3 MARS | 99 ANSWERS TRADE SCENARIO: Bears Negotiate Deal, Sending QB Fields to AFC in Exchange for Two Draft Picks, Potentially Including a First-Round Selection Should the Bears trade Justin Fields? | ||
| yes | 35 | 35.4 % |
| No | 64 | 64.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
