Is Justin Fields the Chicago Bears‘ long-term answer under center? The answer to that question is still unclear, but the former first-round pick is under contract with the Bears for the next two seasons. What does Fields’ contract look like, and how much is he making during the 2023 NFL season?
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Justin Fields Contract Details
The Bears made Fields the 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Thanks to the league’s slotted rookie contract system, negotiating Fields’ first NFL contract was a breeze, as the length, value, and guarantees were already essentially set in stone.
Fields’ deal is worth $18.87 million over four years. The entire contract is fully guaranteed for cap, skill, and injury. His annual average value is $4.71 million, which ranks just 35th among quarterbacks, sandwiched between Marcus Mariota and Sam Darnold.
In 2023, Fields has a cap charge of $5.14 million. Here’s how that figure is broken down:
- Base salary: $1.18 million
- Prorated signing bonus: $2.77 million
- Roster bonus: $1.19 million
Fields is collecting $2.37 million in cash this season (base salary + roster bonus). His $11.09 million signing bonus was prorated over the life of his four-year contract, but he was paid that money up front when he signed his deal in 2021.
Even if the Bears decide Fields isn’t their long-term quarterback, they almost surely won’t cut him next offseason. As a former first-round pick with — at the very least — dynamic rushing ability, Fields would still have some trade value.
If Chicago traded Fields next spring, they’d absorb $2.77 million in dead money on their 2024 salary cap, but they’d also clear $3.23 million.
Fields’ Fifth-Year Option
Fields’ four-year contract also contains a fifth-year option. The Bears can choose to extend his deal through the 2025 campaign, but that comes with caveats.
First, Chicago has to make its decision after this year. The Bears will need to exercise or decline Fields’ option by May 2, 2024, so they’ll have to judge him based on how he performs over the rest of this season.
MORE: What Is Justin Fields’ Record as a Starter?
Second, Fields will be entitled to a significant pay increase if Chicago picks up his option. Because he played at least 75% of the Bears’ snaps over his first two NFL seasons, Fields would fall into the second tier of fifth-year option salaries.
Fields’ 2024 option will be worth $23.25 million, according to Over the Cap. If he rebounds and makes this year’s Pro Bowl on the original ballot, his 2024 option salary would jump to $32.96 million.