The Chicago Bears internal debate rages on. Should the Bears ditch starting quarterback Justin Fields and draft USC blue chip QB prospect Caleb Williams with their overall no. 1 pick in this year’s NFL draft? Or should they keep Fields, build around him with their two first round picks (no. 1 and no. 9) and count on his improving field play and increasing consistency to take him to next-level success?
General Manager Ryan Poles and the Bears front office already announced a focus on offensive change last week when they fired offensive coordinator Luke Getsy as well as quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko, wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert and running backs coach coach Omar Young.
But that doesn’t necessarily answer the question of what they plan on doing with the quarterback situation.
Fields Could Yield No. 1 Draft Pick
Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN First Draft is a strong proponent of drafting Williams and trading the talented, but sometimes unpredictable Fields. Despite some feelings to the contrary, the senior NFL analyst believes that Chicago could possibly get a first round pick for Fields in this year’s draft
With several teams desperate for a high-end quarterback, there’s a wider market for Fields, who many feel could be just a tweak or two away from being a high-functioning franchise quarterback. His strong finish to this season definitely served to boost his trade value.
One of those QB-hungry teams could be the 7-10 Atlanta Falcons, whose patience with starting QB Desmond Ridder may have already run out after just two seasons. With the team bringing in a new head coach, there’s wisdom in also bringing in a new quarterback who can help the team move in a different direction.
Fields to the Falcons?
Kiper feels that dealing Fields and picking Williams opens up a lot of possibilities
“You have no second round pick [It was dealt to the Washington Commanders at the trade deadline this season in exchange for Montez Sweat], so some maneuvering could take place there,” Kiper said. “If you trade Justin Fields to Atlanta, you could get the 8th pick overall, so you could have 1, 8, and [the Bears’ own] 9 and be able recoup a second round pick by trading down with one of those two picks, either 8 or 9, so a lot of maneuverability for the Bears either way, but if it’s me, I’m taking Caleb Williams no. 1 and trading Justin Fields.”
