The Philadelphia Eagles have a long-standing history of valuing the backup quarterback position more than any other franchise.
With the Washington Commanders agreeing to terms with Marcus Mariota on a free agent contract, general manager Howie Roseman will be searching the open market for another veteran to backup franchise QB Jalen Hurts.
Could former first-round pick Justin Fields be the target for Philadelphia?
Why Philadelphia Could Trade for Justin Fields
Philadelphia has never had an issue spending money on backup quarterbacks. For the better part of the 2010s, the Eagles went through a stretch of never having the quarterback who started the season as the starter being the one to lead the team into the playoffs.
That has changed since Hurts was drafted. The former second-round pick has been Philadelphia’s starting QB for the five playoff games they’ve participated in since the 2020s rolled around.
Roseman and the organization have not shifted their belief in having a quality backup quarterback, though. That’s why many NFL analysts have tied the Eagles into a potential trade with the Chicago Bears for Fields.
As a starter, the former Ohio State product has struggled down the stretch in games and possesses one of the worst completion percentages among active starters. But his rushing ability and big arm could provide the Eagles with a competent backup who can successfully keep the offense afloat if something happens to Hurts.
In that mindset, a trade for Philadelphia makes sense. They wouldn’t have to sign Fields to a long-term extension and could simply decline his fifth-year option next offseason.
Despite only having to pay the quarterback around $6 million — the average for a backup quarterback on the current market — having to give up draft capital only complicates trade discussions.
What Is Fields’ Trade Value?
As a member of the 2021 quarterback class, Fields has been mixed with a group that could all be on new teams in the coming year (outside of Trevor Lawrence). Zach Wilson, Mac Jones, and Trey Lance are all players selected in Fields’ year that should have new homes in 2024.
The issue is that the trade market for all of them isn’t what many could expect.
Jones was the most recent quarterback from this class to be moved, and he went for a sixth-round pick. Many will confidently say that Fields is a better player than the former New England Patriot, but he has a worse starting record and hasn’t been to the playoffs — something Jones accomplished in his first season.
While we may think Fields’ running abilities could help enhance his trade value, few teams have been willing to part with draft capital for a player with clear passing deficiencies.
That’s why a similar trade like the one the Patriots sent to the Jaguars could be enough to entice the Bears into making a deal for their former first-round pick. Chicago is looking to make a deal for Fields before the 2024 NFL Draft due to their expected selection of a quarterback with the top overall pick.
If it’s a sixth or seventh-round selection going to Chicago, the Eagles could make a move. Philadelphia has three fifth-round picks and a sixth-rounder during April’s draft. Potential trade conversations surrounding pass rushers Josh Sweat and Haason Reddick could also add to that total.
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It won’t be entirely easy, but if the Eagles are going to try and address the backup QB role in a big way, trading for a young signal-caller like Fields could be what helps them in the long run for the 2024 season.
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