When discussing the Bears’ upcoming draft plans, much of the discourse has surrounded two scenarios: they trade the No. 1 pick and continue building around Justin Fields or they trade Fields and select a rookie quarterback with the first-overall selection. There could now be a third scenario: the team keeps Fields and they still select a QB with the first pick.
[RELATED: Bears Seeking “Historic Haul” For No. 1 Pick]
As Albert Breer of SI.com writes, the idea of keeping Fields and selecting a rookie QB is “an intriguing idea that the team has discussed.” While this could simply be a smokescreen by the Bears as they look to pry a “historic haul” for the first-overall pick, there is some merit to the strategy.
As Breer notes, Fields is only due $3.2MM in cash for 2024. Couple that with the hypothetical number-one pick’s rookie salary, and the Bears would still be eyeing one of the least expensive QB corps in the NFL. Further, plenty of teams have redshirted their rookie quarterbacks as they learned the system.
Of course, this tactic has come with varying success, and most teams look to pair a rookie QB with a veteran. Fields, who will be 25 in March, just completed his third NFL season, and you could make an argument that his NFL future is just as bright as any of the top quarterback prospects in this year’s draft.
In other words, it would be a bit surprising if the Bears actively sought a QB competition, especially with the context of Fields’ next contract. In this scenario, the front office would surely lose leverage on both assets, and while they would technically control the process, the team wouldn’t have an infinite amount of time to draw out the process.
While there were some rumblings of a pro-Fields direction, the most recent reports point to the Bears keeping the first-overall pick and trading Fields. The team probably won’t lack for suitors, especially if they only manage to garner offers that are headlined by a Day 2 pick. One team that could emerge in the sweepstakes is the Falcons. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, and Mike Garafolo note that Fields is a “name many around the NFL connect to Atlanta.”
The team’s Desmond Ridder experiment in 2023 likely cost Arthur Smith his job, and there’s a good chance Raheem Morris will look for a new face to lead his QB room. The Falcons could also be an option for a rookie QB, although they’d likely have to trade up from No. 8 if they hope to get any of the top prospects at the position.
Do it, Morris. Show them all again that you’re the smartest one in every room you ever walk into.
You must be Morris. I guarantee you nobody else in the world thinks that.
You don’t pair QBs haha they don’t play together. Fields would be constantly looking over his shoulder since he is bound to get benched for the rookie 5-6 games in if they struggle.
If you take the QB 1st you have to move Fields and get a vet who understands they are not the long term plan or play 1st overall QB and have vet help.
@AncientOne I concur.
That scenario would be for Fields confidence. I think they should move on. Doesn’t seem plausible to trade first overall pick in consecutive drafts.
*bad for his confidence
In that scenario, Fields is playing for his next team like Drew Brees before he went to New Orleans. What is he going to do? Pout because he’s going to eventually be replaced? I still think they’re trading down one spot with Washington but are going to fleece them, but it’s not as crazy of an idea as you think.
Course the bears come up with the most Bears answer ever
Deal Fields
Deal Williams
Deal both
Pick a lane and stick with it.
Bears: deal nobody
They could probably trade fields, trade #1, sign Cousins and then end up competing with all the pieces they would have.
Ah yes, definitely have a torn locker room, a looming threat for both young quarterbacks, and have neither of them working with a savvy veteran QB. Oh, and turn down the trade haul you could get for either Fields or the pick. Yeah, that makes loads of sense.
They’re driving up the price for Fields and driving up the price for the pick. Smart.
Nobody is going to buy that as a legitimate plan, though. It is almost the worst plan imaginable. What rival GM is going to believe the Bears would stunt the growth of 2 QBs while passing up the chance to add a player at another position of need?
No, I seriously doubt having both is their plan. Poles will listen to offers for #1 but has to get the next QB. And I’m sure he’ll do all he can to get the most for Fields.
Spot on. If they draft Williams, he will be starting day 1.
Roob come on man you don’t actually believe this is smart right? This is nonsense that no GM is going to possibly believe for a second. This drives up nothing, it’s laughable.
Driving up the price for Fields…Are you serious?
Ok, instead of a 7th round conditional pick to a 6th round conditional pick for the MVP QB that all Bear fans thought Fields was going to be. RIIIIIIIIIIIGHT.
I’m all for drafting Williams but don’t do that to Fields. That crowd the second things aren’t going well are going to be calling for his Williams. Also why in the world would you draft a QB 1 and sit him behind another QB.
Makes sense, Fields is capable of winning games. His 3.2M salary is a good deal for a backup QB of his caliber. If the rookie isn’t ready from day 1, they aren’t stuck starting Brett Rypien or something. If they can’t at least get a 2nd rd pick, I’d keep him.
Meanwhile, the Bears hamstring both QBs by not taking a quality prospect to fill another critical role. It’s the Rogers/Love issue that kept them from building a SuperBowl winning-caliber team.
I’d rather roll with Fields and the comp package for the #1 pick, than C Williams and anything less than a #1 plus more. He isn’t the answer.
Steelers should trade for Fields and let him and Pickett compete for the job. Then sign a former Arthur Smith QB as the third to help teach the system.
They won’t do that but that is their optimal remaining scenario given the present options.
I believe the Steelers are looking to save face over the Pickett selection anyway they can. Bringing in a vet like Russell Wilson who is near the end of his career is one idea, as Pickett can be seen as “spending a couple seasons learning and improving,” like Jordan Love
I don’t think Fields coming here fits the save face narrative, as he’s a better athlete and better QB. And young. It’s an admission to the world that Pickett was a mistake
And he was.
Congrats to Albert Breers. I suggested this plan since the Bears season ended. Total thief.
The difference is you don’t have an audience, as nobody cares what you have to say.
“Bears considering pairing Justin Fields with rookie QB.” Translation: Bears are drafting Caleb Williams and want to prop up the trade value of Justin Fields.
Stupid isn’t spelled intriguing.
That’s Cap!!!
Mind boggling stupid that would be.
Makes about as much sense as having two LS on the roster. Perhaps the Bears brilliant QB plan has Williams and Fields acting as backups for Nathan Peterman or Mike Glennon.
Would be incredibly idiotic and could possibly stunt development of 2 bright quarterbacks. So I could definitely see the bears doing something this dumb.
They should stick to what they think is fair price too trade Fields or pick. Everyone says next draft has weak group of quarterbacks. Someone may not get a quarterback at draft this year. think we will trade for one guys now . giving picks next year.
Do it Bears! You definitely need chaos inside your organization. But it would make for some awesome comments from Bears fans! The satire coming from a Fields/#1 pick combo would be great theater.
The Drew Brees/Phillip Rivers model.
Harrison Jr needs to be part of whatever the Bears do. The ideal 1st Rd haul would be Caleb + MHJ.
I’m in the minority but the only above average skill I’ve seen from Fields is running.
Initially Lamar caught similar criticism but it didn’t take 3+ years to prove he could pass competently.
Caleb’s christening as a Franchise QB may turn out to be overhyped but, after 3 years, Fields ain’t him.
Jackson also went to a stable organization without a dumpster fire for an offensive line. John Harbaugh also was all in on him and designed the initial system specifically for him. We all saw how Jetsy handled him. He wanted him to fit what he did in Green Bay instead of designing the system for him initially. I said it his rookie year, they should have designed the Cam Newton offense for him initially coming into the league.
How does organization matter? Football is football on the field. Getsy had a simple west coast offense for Fields, probably because Fields couldn’t handle a more complicated one. Bears also had one of the best running games in the NFL, and Fields still didn’t succeed. Jackson, who still isn’t very accurate, is able to make decisions in 2.5 seconds on any NFL play, Fields hasn’t shown that yet. Trubisky was the same. All the talent and ability, but inaccurate and couldn’t read 2nd and 3rd receivers. Still can’t even after his time in Pittsburgh.
You’re not in the minority, actually the majority. FIelds was and is overhyped and was only “good” as a running QB. The Bears wanted a Lamar clone but failed miserably.
Fields must be traded this year as his contract status will soon become a deterrent to a trade. This is the year the Bears need to exercise their 5th year option on him (or not) and no other team is going to trade good picks for a player they may quickly lose to free agency. Other teams are going to want at least one cheap contract year (plus the 5th year option year) to see what they can make of him.
I don’t think Morris wants that kind of qB.
This is clear posturing. They can’t admit that he’s already packing his bags, because that drives down the price.
Figures, split QB playing time between QB u already kno is not the answer n hamper development of new young QB so u can run Wildcat 2.0.
Trade him to Pats for 2nd (34) and swap 4ths (103 for 122).
Bears draft a qb, Pats draft Harrison jr.
Pats trade
Morris probably heard all of the caleb hype while coaching the D of the Rams
As a falcon fan. I want dallas turner with pick 8 (or jayden Daniel’s if he falls to 8) if you get turner at 8, I would like to trade our 2nd rounder, 4th and ridder For fields.
This would be the most Bears thing ever. It’d be stupid, but why not throw it out there to potentially drive up the price?
1-I seriously doubt this is being considered by the Bears, no matter what Breer has been lead to believe.
2-As others have mentioned, an arrangement like this is usually with an aging vet, and an inexperienced non-premium QB prospect. From my perspective, I’d like to see the Raiders add Russell Wilson, and draft maybe McCarthy or Rattler, and give an inexperienced guy some time.
If the Bears draft Williams, he will start on Day 1. There was never a consideration to giving Young, Stroud, or Richardson a year on the bench, and Williams is likely better than all three of them.