The Dwindling Justin Fields Market Demonstrates Why The Bears Need To Draft A Quarterback
The NFL free agency period and new league year will begin early next week as the Chicago Bears are still looking for trade partner for quarterback Justin Fields. Over the past few weeks, the trade market for Fields has cooled significantly as the number of potential suitors and compensation level has dissipated as other signal-callers have become viable options. The abrupt decline in a once-promising market should reinforce the desire to utilize the first overall selection on a quarterback in the upcoming NFL Draft, as another year with the team’s current starting quarterback could result in wholesale changes at the end of 2024.
NFL Teams Choosing To Go In A Different Direction Is Really Troubling Given Who They Are Choosing Over Fields
Last month, the potential trade market for Fields was as hot as it could be as many prominent NFL analysts believed that Chicago’s third-year quarterback could be traded in return for a high-round draft pick, even as high as a first-rounder. Bears’ general manager Ryan Poles appeared to have a highly contentious bidding war building between multiple teams rumored to be highly interested in a trade, including the Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers, Las Vegas Raiders, and the New York Giants. Unfortunately, due to several quarterbacks slated to reach free agency now, talks have dropped off significantly.
The decreasing trade market is especially troubling given the alternate options other NFL teams are considering rather than potentially acquiring Fields. Atlanta appears to be heavily focused on signing former Vikings’ quarterback Kirk Cousins. Although one of the best quarterbacks in the league, Cousins is 36 years old and is coming of a torn Achilles injury that ended his 2023 season. The Falcons view the former Pro Bowl signal-caller as a better option than Fields despite being vastly older, less mobile, and more expensive.
Pittsburgh is considering multiple free-agent veteran options to address their starting quarterback position, as they could target Russell Wilson or Ryan Tannehill. Although both quarterbacks are former All-Pros with significant playoff experience, neither have good the past two seasons with their respective teams. The Denver Broncos benched Wilson at the end of the 2023 season to avoid a potential bonus payout and released him two years after one of the largest trades in league history.
Teams looking at other older and costlier options provide perspective on how Fields is seen around the league and how they view him as more of a risk than the other quarterbacks. The Falcons and Steelers are teams needing to make the playoffs in 2024, as the signal-caller position was a glaring issue for both teams in 2023. Trading Fields has been a heated debate in Chicago and across the country as many fans and analysts believe he could reach his full potential with another team, but it appears NFL teams don’t believe he can achieve that potential now.
It is especially concerning as Fields may now buck a long-standing NFL trend of franchises trading for former first-round quarterbacks, believing they could be the one to bring out the best in the player. Over the past few years, former first-round talents, including Deshaun Watson, Sam Darnold, and Baker Mayfield, have been traded for lucrative compensation involving multiple draft picks. If the current market continues, Chicago may only get a mid-round selection in return for Fields.
Declining Fields Market Further Proves Why The Bears Are Right To Draft A Quarterback
Since the end of the 2023 season, the fierce debate on whether the Bears should keep Fields or draft a quarterback with the first of their two first-round selections has engulfed Chicago sports, with fans and analysts believing the team should trade the first overall selection for a haul of top-end draft selections. The contingency believes that Poles’ front office can build an elite roster around their current starting quarterback. The theory is rooted in the belief that Fields will mature into an elite-level passer, something that fans and analysts have been waiting for the past two seasons.
If Chicago decides to forego drafting either Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, or Jayden Daniels in favor of keeping Fields, the franchise risks chasing a replacement in the next few years if their quarterback does not take the next step as a passer. Even if the Bears parlay another trade of the first overall selection and draft several Pro Bowl-level players, the team could have to trade away future draft picks to move up to select a prospect or to acquire a veteran talent at the position. Potentially moving the first overall pick again, along with Fields not developing, would prove to be a historically embarrassing decision, given the talent at the quarterback position in the draft.
The lack of interest should be a reinforcer for Chicago as they have leaned towards drafting a quarterback throughout this offseason. If the Bears can’t get high-end compensation, it isn’t their fault, as opposing NFL teams may view Fields as a risk rather than a reward despite his youth, mobility, and cost-friendly rookie contract. Teams choosing older and declining quarterbacks as safer options demonstrate how Chicago’s quarterback and his passing ability are realistically thought of around the league.
Unfortunately, teams aren’t more interested in Fields, but potentially giving up top-end draft selections for a signal-caller lacking consistency as a passer can be an intimidating scenario. The franchises that were initially interested are in a must-win situation and can’t afford to miss out on the playoffs because the third-year quarterback never matured during his fourth season in the league. The Bears may not get the return they expected for Fields, but the declining desire to acquire him should be peace that the franchise should draft a quarterback with their first pick.