Justin Fields’ future has been heavily speculated on for some time, with rumors of his potential departure only intensifying after the Chicago Bears locked in the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Fields has made it clear he prefers to stay in Chicago but dished on the Atlanta Falcons as a potentially attractive landing spot on Wednesday.
Justin Fields on the Falcons as a Landing Spot
Fields hit on a variety of topics during an appearance on the St. Brown Brothers podcast, hosted by NFL receivers and brothers Amon-Ra and Fields’ teammate Equanimeous St. Brown. Fields explained why he unfollowed the Bears’ Instagram account, along with stating that he prefers to remain with the franchise.
“Of course, I want to stay,” Fields said on the podcast. “I can’t see myself playing in another place. But if it was up to me, I would want to stay in Chicago. I love the city. The city’s lit. The fans there are great — and the people. It’s a business. I ain’t got no control over it. Whatever happens, happens.
“I think the biggest thing with all this going on right now: I just want it to be over. Like, just let me know if I’m getting traded, let me know if I’m staying, this and that.”
Elsewhere in the podcast, however, Fields was asked how he feels about the Falcons as a potential landing spot.
Fields is a native of Georgia, having been born in Kennesaw and attended the University of Georgia for the first year of his collegiate career. He ultimately broke out in college after transferring to Ohio State but still has strong ties in Georgia. However, he mentioned his ties to the area as a potential downside of going to Atlanta, though he also complimented the Falcons’ talent on both offense and defense.
“Atlanta would be tough,” Fields said. “The only con of going back home is just people hitting my phone like crazy wanting tickets to the game. I think they got a lot of playmakers on the team. Of course, Bijan [Robinson], my boy Kyle [Pitts], and of course Drake [London], too. They probably need one more receiver, but they definitely got some guys.”
Rumors have swirled that Fields could be traded this offseason depending on the direction Chicago elects to go at quarterback.
He has seen his share of ups and downs through three seasons with the Bears but has put up some solid numbers the last two years even amid struggles for the team as a whole. Fields threw for 2,562 yards, 16 touchdowns, and nine interceptions alongside rushing for 657 yards and four more scores this past season across 13 appearances, all starts.
Still, he is headed into the final year of his rookie contract, and Chicago has the opportunity to draft highly-touted prospect Caleb Williams with the top pick in the NFL Draft.
It’s a pivotal turning point for the Bears, one that will shape the future of the franchise.
Although Fields has expressed his desire to stay in Chicago, the organization could decide it is more sold on Williams or another quarterback prospect along with the added flexibility their additional years of low-cost salary on a rookie contract would provide.
Time will tell what direction the Bears go in, but Atlanta could be an intriguing landing spot for Fields if he is dealt given the Falcons’ own struggles at quarterback in recent years.
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Desmond Ridder has been far from stellar across two NFL seasons, while backup Taylor Heinicke was not the answer either when thrust into action this past year. Pairing the athletic Fields with what would be the best cast of playmakers he has worked with to date could be intriguing for Atlanta in the event Chicago decides to move on from Fields.
All of it makes for plenty of intriguing possibilities to watch as the NFL offseason kicks into high gear.
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