The on-again, off-again, love/hate relationship between QB Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears has had its ups and downs. Fields is a fascinating talent — one that carries wild inconsistencies and inaccuracies. The Bears were supposed to compete for the NFC North title in 2023, but unfortunately for Chicago faithful, the wheels have fallen off early.
Fields had one of his best games as a pro on Sunday, throwing for four touchdowns and building a three-score lead. But then, he couldn’t convert a 4th-and-short, fumbled the ball, which led to a TD return, and threw the game-ending interception. In many ways, Sunday was a microcosm of Fields’ NFL career — the highest of the highs and the lowest of the lows.
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Will Chicago Send Justin Fields Packing?
Why are we having this conversation the week after one of Fields’ best passing performances? The Bears have a big decision on their hands. Chicago does not have to extend Fields this offseason, but we have seen many teams extend the contract of their franchise QBs following their third NFL season.
𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗘 𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗟𝗦𝗘: The #Falcons should try to make a trade for #Bears QB Justin Fields.@Espngreeny says that Justin Fields would make the Falcons “one thousand times better on offense”@Realrclark25 agreed, saying that Justin Fields and Bijan Robinson in the same… pic.twitter.com/vp4OdKwjXa
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) October 4, 2023
With the recent extensions for Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow, Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, and Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts, to name a few, the quarterback market is set, and the price is costly if you wish to extend your signal-caller long term.
MORE: QB Power Rankings 2023
Is Fields worth this type of price tag? Given that there remain several question marks around his game and development, the answer for many is an emphatic “no.”
On a recent episode of Get Up, analyst and former NFL QB Dan Orlovsky shared his view of what the Bears could do with Fields.
“Chicago and Justin are in a fascinating situation. The question for me right now is, are teams going to call and ask if they can trade for him because he’s in his third year? We all know that’s a huge year for determining what you are going to do with the guy’s contract there going forward.”
If Fields isn’t worth extending, shouldn’t Chicago entertain trading the QB while there is a market? There are several teams who need an answer at quarterback, and although there remain questions for Fields to answer, the former Ohio State legend would be an upgrade for a few teams around the NFL.
How Does the 2024 NFL Draft Class Impact the Bears’ Decision on Fields?
Good news, Bears fans. If the NFL season ended today, Chicago would have the top two picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. Draft pundits consider the top of the 2024 NFL Draft to be ripe with several franchise-caliber QBs available.
UPDATED 2024 NFL Mock Draft per @PFF👀https://t.co/YqMTxMItvB pic.twitter.com/6b1SsCU29f
— On3 (@On3sports) October 3, 2023
Heisman Trophy-winning QB Caleb Williams from USC headlines the 2024 NFL Draft as the heavy favorite to be the first overall selection. He has drawn Patrick Mahomes comparisons, so you know NFL personnel adore his game. North Carolina’s Drake Maye and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders remain in the mix at the top of the draft, as well.
Throw in Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with the second overall selection for good measure, and Bears fans will be thrilled with their draft class.