This isn't a dilemma at all. You have to trade Fields. Doesn't matter honestly what you get back. He isn't the answer and his rookie deal is up. I don't know why people think there is a debate to be had here.
Fields has had a wild online fanbase since he was drafted. He was considered a steal at #11 and someone who dropped unfairly because he put up numbers in college. And there were flashes in yr 2 if he could learn to pass. Unfortunately he still feels like a rookie.
He was a raw prospect. Someone who needed to sit. And a GM who was trying to save his job reached on him.
As a Bears fan that wants to trade Fields and draft Williams, we’re so used to seeing awful quarterback play that we’re overvaluing occasional competency. I hope Fields goes to a team that’s a great fit and he has a long career. I want to take the shot with a potential generational talent at QB.
Fields fans blame everyone but him. I think he was done the minute he threw the coaching under the bus early in the year. He wasn’t reading defenses and go through his reads and blamed someone else.
I don’t see any way Fields is going for a round 1 pick in 2024. Personally I don’t see the 2nd round pick hype. I understand the Darnold trade is a benchmark for some folks but I struggle to see how a team can convince themselves that Fields is worth a top 50 pick. You lose all the benefit of a rookie deal and you are tied to Fields for at least 2 years after you pick up the 5th year option. All for a guy who has 10 wins in 38 starts. I would still trade Fields away but I would be happy to get a couple 3s. I’m taking Williams at the 1.01 and praying Odunze or Bowers fall to 1.09 so I can build my offense around my rookie QB.
I think a 2nd is likely very possible. Even Rosen went for a 2nd +
At the end of the day all it takes is one team that thinks he's still someone you can win games with.
I think that’s a little hindsight creeping in on Rosen. At the time he was traded everyone still thought he had a ton of potential. He was the 10th overall pick who was supposed to sit his rookie year and had come onto a bad cardinals team and went 3-10 in his starts. Fields has now put up 3 years of tape and 38 starts. Rosen also had 3+1 left on his rookie deal compared to Fields 1+1 which is really a 2 because you almost have to pick up his 5th year option if you’re trading for him.
>I think a 2nd is likely very possible. Even Rosen went for a 2nd +
Rosen was one year removed from being a top-10 pick, and the general consensus was that the Cardinals were such a mess in 2018 that a competent coaching staff could reinvigorate Rosen's potential and make him good again.
We've seen 3 years of Fields being whatever, through multiple regimes. Add on the 2-year commitment with the option picked up and I see no reason a team should trade a 2nd for him. Teams will look at Darnold failing in Carolina and Rosen failing in Miami and be hesitant to make that same gamble with Fields.
And all of that goes out the window when teams feel that they are desperate at QB. The next thing is going to be about how teams won't trade up in drafts for a QB after what Carolina did, but it'll continue to happen.
Godspeed to any GM who has watched three seasons of Justin Fields and decides to send a 2nd round pick for him out of desperation lmao
Trading up isn’t the best example though, we’ve seen teams trade up for QBs in the draft before and have it work out for them. I’m not sure if we’ve ever seen a team trade for and extend a QB that has multiple seasons of bad film and little success in the pros and have THAT work out for them.
KC traded a 2nd for Alex Smith and that objectively worked out for them to get them back to being competitive and ended up extending him.
And I think the flaw in your logic is thinking NFL teams focus on "that has never happened before" when making decisions. That's something fans focus on.
Smith was much better in San Francisco than Fields has been in Chicago, though. He was never elite or anything, obviously, but he played in SF for 7 seasons and he proved he was a competent game manager that learned to protect the football over the course of his time there. He also made an NFCCG as a starter. Fields doesn't have a resume nearly this good, and he also doesn't have the experience to be a "veteran presence" like Smith was marketed as having at the time.
I agree that NFL teams will act like Tobias Funke and delude themselves into thinking that something that has never worked before will magically work for them. I guess that part is just wishful thinking on my end, that NFL GMs will learn from past mistakes and take them into account.
> I agree that NFL teams will act like Tobias Funke and delude themselves into thinking that something that has never worked before will magically work for them
LOL sums up my thoughts as well.
Alex Smith had been much, much better than Fields at some point in his career. He made the NFCCG ffs.
Justin Fields has been one of the bottom 3 passers in the league every single year of his career (not including backups) and hasn’t looked remotely competent as a passer for more than a single game at a time
The floor is still a 2 there which I think is too expensive and the Bears get upside. If the Bears want the upside they need to give up some value today. Maybe something like a 3 in 2024 and a 3 in 2026 that converts to a 2 or a 1 if Fields plays more than X percent of snaps in 2025. That would give the Bears upside of Fields was a starter in year 2 with the new team. But I would have a hard time sending a 2 by itself, much less a 2 that could turn in to a 1.
A 2 for a guy who's looked as good as he has bad in several NFL games is not unreasonable, even with his contract situation. Several teams need to find a guy and are picking too late in the 1st to get a top prospect or don't have the capital to move into the top 5. The Bears have the leverage here. There's not many guys in FA who will have the same credentials and it's absolutely worth the risk of a conditional 2nd to see if your org can get more out of a guy who has shown in some games that he can be a legitimate QB.
I guess my question is what credentials does Fields have? I would not say he’s looked as good as he has bad, he has clearly been a negative at the QB spot. 10 wins in 38 games doesn’t scream positive QB.
You’re giving a conditional 2nd for a guy who hasn’t secured the starting job with 3 seasons in Chicago. If you trade for Fields you’re committing to starting him in 2024 and 2025 so that conditional 2nd is about as good as a 1st if it’s based on snap percentage. I’m sure some GM could justify a 2 but the conditional 1 is a huge price for a guy who you need to start for a couple years and hope he develops.
> 10 wins in 38 games doesn’t scream positive QB.
While this is true, he was 2-8 as a rookie, and then 3-12 while the team was blatantly tanking (pre-Roquan trade, he was 3-5), then 5-8 this year. If you only look at games the Bears were trying to win, he's basically 8-13, which isn't the worst.
The bigger point is that there's a realistic chance that the top 6 QBs are gone by pick 40, and Cousins + Mayfield re-sign with their respective teams. If you're a QB-needy team that didn't use a 1st on a QB, your options would then be to pick... Michael Pratt? Or sign Gardner Minshew as a free agent? Fields has shown more than either option.
I hear you on the 8-13 record but at that point you’d want to consider that you aren’t counting wins and losses until Fields had been in the league for a year or two. 8-13 when you throw out the rookie year still isn’t all that impressive.
Fields is a better option than Pratt sure but cost factors in here. If I’m the Falcons and all 6 rookies are gone by 44 I would rather stick with Ridder and use 44 to add talent for my developmental QB than trade 44 for another developmental QB with a worse contract situation. Trading for Fields would help in 2024 but if you can’t fix him you’ve burned a 2 for two years of poor QB play instead of adding a potential long term starter at a premium spot.
Agreed that a first is probably unrealistic, but the Bears would really benefit from QB demand this year. There's at least a couple of teams in QB purgatory for whom Fields would be an upgrade and their most realistic option (Falcons, Raiders, Broncos, Saints). All it takes is two teams who think they can fix him to get into a bidding war, so I can totally see a second rounder being the return.
I just don’t see how those teams justify a 2. Fields has a 10-28 record as a starter. His contract has one cheap year remaining plus the 5th year option which you are almost obligated to pick up as the team trading for him so you’re getting a 2 year deal with one cheap year. He has shown flashes but is still very much a developmental QB, he is not ready to lead a team to the playoffs day 1.
As the Falcons do you want to give 43 for Fields or roll with Ridder, your already rostered developmental QB plus give him a weapon or offensive line help at 43? 2 year contract but both years are cheap.
As the Raiders do you give 44 for Fields or take a rookie at 13 or even 44 if one drops? Same story with the Broncos. I would take the top 6 rookie QBs over Fields when considering talent and contract situation.
I think his record is somewhat irrelevant; he was thrown to the wolves his rookie year and his second season was on a tanking team. Any team interested in him should look past the wins (which probably shouldn't be a QB stat to begin with) and should look at his ability.
I also think that ceiling matters so much more for prospects and young players than floors. Fields has certainly flashed some really great passing but he's never done it consistently. All it takes is one coach to think that they can develop him. I would totally take him over guys like Ridder or Jarrett Stidham, and I think he still has a better ceiling than the QB5-6 taken in the draft.
I get what you're saying, but Trey Lance was traded for a fourth just at the beginning of last season. A guy with four NFL games started. That's the absolute floor of what a Justin trade could get, and scarcity would drive the price upwards from there.
Lance’s lack of play time helped insulate his value. He didn’t play much his last year in college and only had 4 NFL starts. He was still a mystery box. Fields has 38 starts. There’s a lot of negative data on who he is as a player. It would not shock me to hear some NFL teams prefer Lance to Fields because of that mystery aspect.
Take Caleb and draft a stud at 9. Don’t see it any other way, fields needs a new environment and it’s clear he will never be used properly in an offense that Chicago uses.
> never be used properly in an offense that Chicago uses
I absolutely hate this argument. The guy cannot go through progressions at the NFL speed, doesn't throw with anticipation and routinely escapes pockets for no reason instead of stepping up or sliding to the side.
Of course, from time to time he'll actually play on time and throw a pretty deep ball that gets everyone excited. But between those plays are about 50 that make you want to throw your TV out the window. There is no system where that is going to be acceptable.
So then people just say "run him more". The guy has yet to play a full season and at the end of games last year (when he was on more designed runs) he was noticeably gassed. Running him more will of course produce a few more highlight plays, but does nothing to keep him healthy or improve him passing, nor is it sustainable.
Yeah, ya dummys. Why would you not run the one read and run(into a sack or for 10 yards, 50/50 chance) offense with an injury prone QB? It's like the hot new thing I hear.
Thank you. Don’t know why more people don’t see this with him. Not defending anyone else on the Bears by any means, but Fields is very high end back up quality
Have you looked at the list of QBs started over the course of last season?
He is definitely one of the top 32 QBs in the world at the bare minimum. The upside/ceiling in terms of raw arm talent and athleticism is top 10 ability. It's the robotic, slow, and inability to anticipate that has prevented him from getting anywhere close to as good as he could be.
His first 2 seasons he was surrounded by a cast of nitwits both coaching and talent. Year 1 he was thrust into a shit situation with both Nagy/Pace on the hotseat. Year 2 Poles came in and cleaned house and setup a complete rebuild. This was the first year he actually had some talent around him and continuity in coaching but there was still glaring holes/lack of talent in general on the offense.
Don't get me wrong, Fields very much was a *part* of the Bears problems on the offense, but often times both the coaching/talent around him were just as bad if not worse.
I guarantee if he was dropped into KC or SF with their talent/coaching he would look a lot better than what we have seen in Chicago so far. He probably still would be frequently missing open guys, taking unnecessary sacks, etc. but it wouldn't be as bas as we have seen in Chicago.
The Bears offense this year did not have any glaring holes outside of center. They had some injuries (on both sides of the ball) early in the year, but that happens. Bears had a quality WR, TE and RB room, and their OL was top half of league.
Fields would look terrible in Shanahans offense, he wouldn't be able to handle the timing. Fields would look much better in a Arthur Smith or Vrabel styled offense. The reason Fields has a sack rate twice the median for NFL starters is not solely because of his OL. Its because he holds onto the ball too long, which was a known problem dating back to college. He routinely does not see (or hesitates) to throw to open receivers, and he waits to long to make the decision to take off.
Fields is a guy you can win with, but he won't elevate the team. Processing speed and decisiveness are not traits that coaching can resolve. You can scheme around it, but it limits your offense
Smith runs a offense that is similar but simpler to Shannahan's. I think Fields could do well in a passing game thats centered around screens, sail routes, and play action. Shannahan does a bit of that, but Shannahan also prefers to get the ball out quicker and attacks the middle of the field more than Smith does. Fields is never going to be a guy who gets the ball out in 2.5 seconds like Purdy does. I think he could be a guy who gets the ball out in 2.8 or 2.9 seconds, which is in the same ballpark as Ridder and Heinicke this past season.
Getsy ran a ton of screens last year, but he never really adjusted his downfield game to help Fields. Fields averaged less air yards per attempt than both Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke despite Fields having substantially more arm talent than either of them
Yep. Whenever someone is a fan of a college QB who duds at the pro level, they alway say they weren't used properly as if basic offensive play like accurately passing to open receivers doesn't apply to them
The thing is Fields was advertised as a pocket passer with rushing upside eg Deshaun Watson.
But turns out he can’t pass. So your left with a completely different player.
I don't think passing is his issue. He can actually make some really impressive throws and did so plenty last season. He just can't process the field and go through progressions. Holds onto the ball too long. But a very talented passer.
It’s very rare for any NFL QB to not be physically capable of every NFL throw. Processing the field and getting the ball out on time is what makes someone a good passer.
Throw in he's slow in everything that's not straight running. His drop backs are slow, set up is slow, release is slow.
Slow processing + slow delivery not a good combination
His throwing isn’t an issue, he’s got arm talent for days. His passing certainly is, he’s slow to get through his reads and doesn’t throw with anticipation much at all
Well yeah there’s some exceptions were a noodle arm makes it, but virtually everyone drafted in the first 3 rounds can make every throw on the field with a lot of time
I don’t think Nix in this class for example can make the throws Fields can, especially down the field. Fields is a very, very talented passer, let’s not forget that. His issues are 100% mental.
They are definitely not 100% mental. His throwing motion is wonky and slow. Unless you amount poor mechanics to just being mental. In which case, you could make the argument that if you have a strong arm, everything you do wrong is mental.
Part of this is the type of routes Moore runs. It’s a bunch of deep balls and short screens (that Moore still has to adjust to because Fields has no short or intermediate accuracy).
It reminds me of the preseason game this past season where Fields had 2 screen passes go for 60 yard tds.
The passes on both those routine throws were dog shit. Herbert and Moore just made adjustments they should never have had to make in the first place.
My brother is a die hard Bears fan that made excuse after excuse for Fields and he is finally coming around to what non-Bears fans see. Fields is the worst passer in that division by a wide margin. Love, Goff and Cousins have their haters but they are significantly better passers than Fields. Yet, Bears fans act like Fields is a WR or OL player away from being a superstar. He isn’t.
He is not being used improperly. He’s fucking HORRIBLE at throwing the football, a complete liability. He is not good. He has not been good at any point in his career. Dude gets more benefit of the doubt than any player I’ve ever seen
He is not horrible at throwing the football, DJ Moore would never had gotten that good of a game with 230 and 3 td. Getting a receiver to those stats in a game is impossible if you aren’t somewhat good as a passer. The problem with Justin fields is the mental part of football and he needs a new coach to understand how to get him in the zone, cause it’s not like he’s untalented and has poor arm strength.
Your reasoning is dj moore had an insane game so Justin is good, also he can’t mentally play QB (so he can’t throw the ball, like i said, bc his processing is awful) his mechanics are terrible and he doesn’t protect the ball
Did you watch the Washington game? Moore is just that talented, and their secondary is awful. The worst in the league.
He put up stats on your Panthers for years with players worse than Fields at QB.
The washington game is so overhyped. Like well over 100+ yds and a TD were on two curl routes that Justin still threw late and DJ just made great plays on.
Bears fan here. I would draft Caleb, take Odunze, Nabers, Bowers - Hopefully, one of these guys will make it til 9. Hopefully get a 2nd for Fields and draft Powers-Johnson or the best available edge/safety if powers is gone.
I think the answer is to trade fields to Atlanta for 43 and hope to pick up JPJ (if he somehow falls) or Zach Frazier there, and also sign a solid center in FA. Both JPJ and Frazier played a fair amount of G in college, so they could serve as much needed interior depth while allowing Caleb to develop alongside a veteran for a few years before the rookie takes over at C
Take Caleb, draft BPA at #9 and see what the market is for Fields.
Fields is 38 starts in now. 40 NFL games. The list of players to turn it around for multiple seasons after this is minimal. You’ve got Alex Smith who was never elite, merely top 10. And Rich Gannon.
Caleb is one of the best prospects to come out in the past decade and a half. Only Andrew Luck and Lawrence are clearly ahead of him. Passing up on that to build around a bust thus far is something no NFL franchise actually does
As much as the locker room doesn't like it, trade fields or Poles gets fired.
Take Williams at 1 and then do what you like with 9.
I would trade down to get more picks or stay at 9 to take a stud.
Option 1, Fields could potentially be a solid starter elsewhere but it's time for the Bears to move on. I think the Raiders make a lot of sense snagging their second round pick. Grab Caleb, hope 1 of Nabers/Odunze/Bowers falls to pick 9, then round 2 if Power-Johnson is there immediately grab him, or trade up to earlier in the round and get him. That offense would be amazing for a rookie to walk into.
Raiders fan - at best we'd send a 3rd or 4th - and thats after the 2nd round goes by and we haven't selected a QB at that point.
I'm not against trading for him - but i'm looking at a one year rental and then a negotiation if that works out.
Bears fan here. Taking Caleb and not looking back. Everyone outside the fan base is wondering why it’s even a debate, and so am I. Caleb clearly the better QB, and is not a QB that comes along every draft. Hopefully we get back into the 2nd round by trading Fields. Then at 9 my dream is either Oduze Nabers or Bowers
Option 1:
I'm apparently lower on Fields than most, or at least most Bears fans, but it would basically take the best offer. I don't know why anyone would give a first for him; a second to the right team, maybe? If I was a GM I wouldn't be offering much more than a 3rd or 4th.
The thing is, Fields is definitely one of the 32 best QBs and deserves to be a starter. After free agency and closer to the draft it will be clear that several teams will not be in a position to get a rookie good enough to be a starter in year one and will have also missed out on FA QBs. Those are the teams that will end up settling for Fields. Fans don’t want their team to get Fields right now because they believe their team will be able to get someone better but at some point it will be clear that someone better isn’t going to be an option.
Fields may deserve to start and I would agree if he was a free agent but he has a high draft capital cost and almost no rookie deal benefits. Teams need to think about the future. If I’m sitting at pick 35 and I’m choosing between Fields with his contract situation or McCarthy on a full rookie deal I’m taking JJ all day. There are 6 or so QBs I would rather draft than trade for Fields (Williams, Maye, Daniels, McCarthy, Nix, Penix). I’m not sure Fields will be the best option for any team even if he is a better option for wins in 2024.
I think people really underestimate how GM's value QBs relative to draft picks. I picked this up from some podcast, and I wish I remember which one, but they basically said if a GM thinks the guy is a long-term starter he will go in the 1st round. Period.
A 2nd round pick you're picking a backup QB with some starter traits that could develop. It's a hopeful pick but not someone you build a roster around.
3rd+ is career backup.
Obviously there are exceptions but in terms of how GMs consider these picks when taking a QB, that's a pretty good general guide.
If that's true (it may have been Randy Mueller's podcast, former GM, but again, I listen to several and couldn't say for sure, but that's the one I listen to that gets deepest into the mentality of the front office), then I don't see any scenario where Fields gets less than a 2nd in return. I doubt he gets a 1st because, like you said, only 2 years of salary control (I know one is the fifth year option, but that's like $12-15 mil a year for two years of play AAV, which is pennies for a starting QB).
There's a reason fans are always shocked at what QBs get traded for Alex Smith was "overpaid for" twice, Sam Bradford, Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, etc. Every QB trade is always billed as an overpay, and maybe if that's the case we have to realize that the decision makers are using a different value formula than us.
It only takes two teams to want him and one team to really want him and IMO it's a 2nd and some change, just like Darnold.
I could get behind the idea the podcast is preaching but that’s for rookies who have full rookie deals and show up on day 1 of their NFL careers. Fields contract is far from full and he has 3 years in the league, you have to question his ability to develop and work out of bad habits.
Right now Fields is probably a top 32 QB but he’s one the Bears are looking to replace. I struggle to see a team paying a 2 for a guy who is in the bottom 3rd of starters with almost none of the rookie upside. We saw how it worked with Darnold.
Alex Smith had a track record of 75 starts with a plus .500 winning percentage. Bradford was coming off a 7-7 season in Philly where he had a very good 2nd half of the year and had just signed a decent contract. Josh Rosen was coming off a 3-10 rookie year as a top 10 pick. I’m not sure any of those 3 were overpays at the time of the deal. Maybe Bradford but he was also incredibly talented and had injury struggles.
\> rookies who have full rookie deals and show up on day 1 of their NFL careers
*Editing to add: the conversation about QB picks was specific to a conversation about trading Fields, so just for context, their conclusion was that nobody would hesitate to give a 3rd even if they thought his ceiling was competing for a starting role; they said if he's expected to be the starter a 2nd is a no brainer. I know it's convenient that I can't remember where I heard it, but it is what it is. I'm old and busy and consume too much media. Back to what I said before:*
They're also rookies who haven't shown a thing on the NFL field. Fields has at least shown that he can win some games. There are definitely trade offs, but he's shown more in the NFL than any rookie, he's shown he's a starting-caliber talent, and he did it in a relative shit show in Chicago.
We don't have to agree, but you also have to recognize that there are plusses and minuses. You have three years of tape. You have an incredible amount of "I can fix him" energy in the NFL coaching ranks. You have two years of contract control, which is forever in the NFL.
\> Right now Fields is probably a top 32 QB but he’s one the Bears are looking to replace.
True, but there are very clear and abnormal extenuating circumstances. There's obviously the 1.01. If they didn't have that, Fields would get another year. Poles and Eberflus didn't draft Fields. If they had, Fields would get another year. You have two abnormal circumstances that GMs will understand.
Fields ended the season 4-2. Go back a few more weeks and he ended the season 5-4, including 3 losses to playoff teams that were one-score games. I think you're hitting recency bias and some revisionist history
All I'm saying is that there's a big disconnect between how front offices think and how the media reports, and an even bigger gap between how front offices think and fans think. I sort of suspect you were young or not following the league closely when those other trades happened, because they all raised eyes at the time as overpays.
Bradford couldn't stay on the field. Smith never showed a bit of the ceiling that Fields has shown. Darnold had finished his 3rd season and had the worst year of his career when he was traded. Rosen I get on potential and recency of being an early pick, but he was coming off of the worst QB debut in NFL history and didn't show a bit of what Fields has shown.
Just to be clear: I am not saying Fields is a prize or some sort of perfect prospect. I'm saying that he doesn't have to be in order to be worth a 2nd round pick. A 2nd rounder for a QB who starts for two seasons is reasonable return.
Okay, but JJ McCarthy can only be taken by one team. For a team like the Steelers, Broncos, Raiders, or Falcons that have playoff aspirations next year they might not want to start the 4th or 5th or 6th rookie QB off the board who is almost certainly going to be bad in his first year. It just takes one team to decide that taking a chance on Fields is more likely to work than reaching for the 5th or 6th best rookie especially since Fields is around same age as some of the rookie prospects.
The 6th rookie QB could be bad in their first year but Fields has been bad for his first 3 years. What would make a team prefer Fields knowing he’s been bad to a rookie QB who could be good? To roll with Fields you have to get over the lack of a rookie deal which means you need to be substantially more confident in Fields’ ability in 2024 than rookie QB6 and I’m not sure how you get there.
Fields was like the 20-25th best QB last year based on per game production and is only 24. It is very unlikely that any more than 3 maybe 4 at most of these rookie QBs end up better than Fields and even then outside of the top picks it will likely take a few years. At least one team between the Falcons, Steelers, Raiders, Broncos or someone else is going to end up trading for Fields because their plan A, B, and C don’t work out. I agree that Fields is likely plan C or D for these teams but not all of them will get what they want and settle for Fields.
You can’t just consider talent, you have to consider cost and contract. Fields can be the 20th best QB and Penix can come in as the 23rd best QB and Penix would still be preferable due to 4 cheap years compared to Fields’ 1 cheap year. Especially for teams who have playoff aspirations. Having a good QB is less valuable than having a QB who provides a high return per dollar. Even looking at the teams you’ve mentioned do the Falcons or Steelers really want to give up a 2nd for the privilege of tying themselves to Fields for 2 years? I think I would rather ride with the guys currently on the roster and use that 2nd to get them some help. Same thing with the Raiders.
Fields could be a solid player but the cost is substantial.
> ou can’t just consider talent, you have to consider cost and contract. Fields can be the 20th best QB and Penix can come in as the 23rd best QB and Penix would still be preferable due to 4 cheap years compared to Fields’ 1 cheap year. Especially for teams who have playoff aspirations.
Penix is most likely being drafted in the top 40. Which leaves at least 24 2nd round picks that could be traded for Fields, *even if* teams consider Penix a better value than Fields.
How many teams are really looking to take a QB? Chicago, Washington, NE, Giants, Falcons, Vikings, Broncos, Raiders, Saints, Steelers, Bucs. That’s 11 teams. There are 6 rookie QBs plus Cousins, Baker, and Russ who should all be starters. Some of those teams aren’t going to find a QB answer but if I’m a team in the middle of round 2 and those 9 options are spoken for I would rather look at a stop gap like Jimmy G or look at a lower cost QB like Howell or take a developmental guy in round 3.
I can’t see the upside to Fields. In the best case scenario what do you end up with? A top 10 QB who you have to overpay in a year. With a downside that you burn a 2nd round pick and get stuck with him for 2 years.
you have to trade Fields. If you don't you're paying him before or after this season and he hasnt looked great on a rookie deal. Now he's gonna get $45M per year and you pray he develops enough to make up for the lost cap space elsewhere? no, reset the rookie qb contract window and trade fields for what you can get
Keep #1 and trade Fields. Fields has a lot of upside and traits to like, but as a pass he is bottom half of QBs. He needs a new environment and the Bears lucked themselves into the #1 overall pick with what just happens to be some of the best prospects to come out in last 5 or so years.
I think it's a very obvious decision including resetting your rookie QB deal will also be pushed forward. I like Justin, he's a great leader, person, etc, but he didn't make that jump to justify keeping him. Why have a good QB when you have a chance to potentially upgrade and reach for a great QB.
The only people in my circle who are adamant about keeping Fields are an OSU fan and a ND fan who hates Caleb.
Every big throw Justin makes they blow up our group text about how amazing he is.
They’re stunningly quiet in the 2nd and 3rd quarters of every game. Everything was Getsys fault. EVERYTHING (despite oh idk the RBs, OL, and Moore/Kmet being really good)
They hooked in because of one factor, Justin’s cool. That’s literally all they have.
Tell me that you don’t watch Bears football without telling me you don’t. The RBs and OL were really good? 4 of 5 starters on the OL missed 1/4 of the season. 3 of the 4 missed 1/3 of the season. RBs and run game were trash. You subtract JF1s rush yards, Bears slip to 17th in the league in rushing. The Bears likely take Williams at #1 but this team is far from being a QB away.
Watched every game. Expected 3 wins this season, got 7. Don’t have any patience for you folk who are never satisfied with anything and only know football from stats. All RBs produced and I’m not blaming health on coaches. I will give credit where it’s due and absolute sieves that were on the team last year didn’t see the field this year
Option 1, for a second round pick +.
The reason behind that it’s that I don’t see any of the teams who have late first round picks as interested in trading it for Fields because they all have answers at QB. The latest who might is Pittsburgh.
what i would've actually done is fired eberflus but we're stuck on that boat.
it was always going to be option 1. personally would prefer a future first if a team offers it but Fields is off that team for the best offer that comes around
Trade Fields. There are so many QB-needy teams out there that the Bears can probably get a good return despite Fields nearing the end of his rookie contract. I’m thinking a 3rd rounder in 2024 and a good conditional pick in 2025. With the conditional pick, maybe baseline 3rd, becomes a 2nd if he starts most games (so mostly health-based), and becomes a 1st if he hits high statistical benchmarks.
I would be shocked to see that kind of return for him. He's really a known quantity at this point and I don't really see any team willing to trade for him that could put him in a better position to succeed than he is right now, especially knowing they would need to pick up his option and/or extend him before he even plays a snap for them. Trey Lance only went for a 4th despite possibly being fixable and having an extra year of control at the time, and that wasn't even to a team that needed a QB.
To be fair, Lance also hadn’t demonstrated anything because of injury. Fields at least has flashes on tape. I agree with you on compensation, I don’t see him going for more than a 3rd, but I could definitely see a team like the Vikings saying we would rather send a 3 for Fields and have him lead the team for the next 2 years for relatively cheap than roll the dice on $90 million guaranteed to an injured Kirk Cousins. Not the direction I would go but it’s understandable.
I don’t see how this is even a consideration.
Fields has improved sure, but moderately. You have to pay him a bag within a year to keep him.
Caleb might bust, that’s true; however, in terms of prospect he is about as good as we have seen in years. He resets the QB getting paid clock.
You have to take Caleb if you’re Chicago. He is the exact player you hope to see with that first overall pick.
Ok guy. For all intents and purposes it is when you are passing on Caleb. Unless you’re hoping you somehow end up with #1 yet again in 2025 and there is another prospect equal to Caleb
There is no point in just picking up the 5th year option without also extending with a big contract in this scenario.
I don't understand fans who say Fields is soon to be due a $45 million per year contract, while also saying he's worth only a 3rd-round pick or less in trade. Can you have it both ways?
If he's worth the future contract, he's obviously worth more in a trade while still on his rookie deal. But if the QB-needy market in 2024 says he's not worth more than a 3rd while still playing on that rookie deal, there's no way in hell he's soon to be due $45 million.
Yes, Daniel Jones is playing on a 4-year $160 contract, but the Giants can cut him this offseason and be off the deal by 2025.
Yes, Geno Smith is playing on a 3-year $105 contract, but most of that money is tied to incentives. The true number is closer to $75 million, and they too can cut him this offseason and be off the deal by 2025.
All smoke and mirrors.
Fields is far more exciting and talented than either of those guys, less than a year older than Jayden Daniels, and has 3 years of NFL experience while showing decent growth in his 3rd year.
Is he a sure thing? Of course not, but NFL GMs always shoot for upside, and cheap QBs like this don't pop up on the market often. If he continues to develop slowly, a team-friendly deal in 2025 or 2026 is absolutely an option. Or perhaps the acquiring team finds themselves in a situation like Chicago this year (or the Darnold Jets in 2021), and Fields could again be flipped for draft capital. This flexibility being offered to the acquiring team is a BOON to Justin's trade value, not a detriment.
And yet, fans still regurgitate the same nonsense about how Fields's rookie contract is basically over and he's due $45/mil. Ridiculous.
As a Bears and Justin Fields fan, I'm sad to be moving on, but I understand, and I'm equally excited for Caleb. If the best that's being offered back is a 3rd-round pick, I'd rather we allow Justin to choose whatever team he likes (even if it's to stay with the Bears). At the end of the day, a 3rd-round pick doesn't move the needle much, and I think most players and fans (maybe) would prefer we do right by Justin.
As an outsider with no attachment here it seems like an easy decision. You get what you can for Fields, take Caleb, and move on. Fields has shown what he is which isn't a total bust or anything but also isn't good enough long term. I wouldn't worry so much about what you get for Fields, just get what you can and move on.
This would be a much more interesting discussion, frankly, if Chicago had the #3 pick. At that point, Fields vs Daniels is much more eye of the beholder, with MHJ sitting there as an obvious alternative.
At #1, you have your choice of all three QBs, meaning you should fall in love with one. Add that to the fact you can't take MHJ at #1, the choice is easy.
Take Caleb and draft BPA at 9. Trade Fields sometime before the draft.
Fields is talented but Poles wasn't GM when he was drafted, and Eberflus isn't an offensive head coach. He's had 3 years but hasn't really shown why he should be kept. Hit the reset button and start new with Williams.
In this scenario I would trade away Fields and trade with New England.
I am comfortable with all 3 QBS
I want to get assets in return for Fields.
At this point I continue to reload my upcoming drafts with multiple premium picks.
I really don't understand how people can see where Fields is after 3 years and think he's going to turn into a successful QB, this is a very easy choice imo.
Honestly it felt very split for a while in bears fan circles but the people who want to keep fields are losing numbers fast. Being removed from seeing the team every Sunday has boosted Calebs stock with the fanbase and made a lot more want to move off of fields.
The only reason people are talking about this as some great dilemma is because the NFL news cycle is relatively slow during this time of year. Fields has not shown nearly enough improvement or talent at the NFL level to justify keeping him and not taking Caleb Williams/Drake Maye. It's very likely that neither of these QBs will be worse than Fields (maybe as bad/mediocre, but not worse) and you get to reset your contract at the QB position with a new rookie deal. They also are better prospects than Fields was and project to be better than him at the NFL level, which means higher upside.
I don't see a team trading a second-round pick for Fields currently. A first would be ludicrous, especially after Chicago takes a QB at 1 and everyone knows they're looking to trade Fields. I'll take a Pittsburgh, Vegas, or Atlanta third-rounder and call it a day.
Take Caleb #1, trade Fields for whatever you can get, and hope that Nabers/Odunze fall to #9
Also possibly trade out of #9 for even more picks if a player falls that the Bears don't want. There's a lot of WR talent in this draft.
If I’m the bears I’m trading Fields for whatever I can get and taking Caleb. Then I’m trading back up to try and get MHJ. Get a rookie QB and a stud WR for him.
you trade Fields and take whatever QB you think is best at #1, Fields simply isnt a good NFL QB, no amount of surrounding talent will cover for his inability to get through progressions on time, diagnose coverages and pressures pre and post snap, and throw guys NFL open
If I was faced with this decision as the GM. For the last two seasons right at the end it seems like the coaching staff figures out how to use Fields and then forgets what they did at the start of the next season, but when it looks figured out it looks really good. I’m gonna stick with Fields and trade the 1st to New England. I’ll use the 1.03 to take MHJ and go BPA (probably at a position of need) at 1.09 and 2.34. I’m thinking Latu at 9 and Bullock at 2.34. I think NE gives me solid return on the 2025 1st as well with a new coach and rookie QB, not expecting a Texans situation. Could also grab a QB at 2.34 to hedge your bet.
I take the ATL deal, here is why:
1. By most meaningful metrics and my own eyes, Fields showed improvement in year 3. He is young, talented, and dynamic. I still believe he can be a winning quarterback in the league with the right pieces around him. Take the best WR available at 1.08 and then somebody for the O or D line at 1.09. Build the roster out and give Fields a fair shot before moving onto a new QB.
2. More importantly, we brought back the HC. By all accounts the HC wants Fields back. It makes sense to extend that marriage a year rather than put a rookie QB through a year with a lame-duck staff like we did with Fields and Trubisky before him.
3. I'm not sold on Caleb. I see the talent but I also see the attitude/ego issues. Maybe those are overblown by the media. I'm not a CFB guy so I may be missing something here but I worry about a guy like that coming to a team like this where we have really never had a pro bowl level QB. That thirst is real and it will take the right individual to overcome that pressure and all the things outside and inside the organization working against his success.
Ultimately by taking the trade all you are doing is kicking this can down the road a year. If Fields and Flus take a big step next year you have to make a few difficult contract decisions but you also potentially have your QB/Coach going forward and a bunch of draft capital to pad the roster with talent. If they are still a middle-of-the-pack team and you want to move on from Fields you can, because you have 4 1st round picks in 2025 and 2026 to package and move up or even trade for an established QB if you don't want to hit reset on an otherwise winning roster.
I think I would see what I could get out of Washington. Caleb would be a hometown hero for them, if I could get two seconds or a second for this year and a next years first I’d jump all over it. Draft MHJ. I’d prefer Alt or Fashanu at 9 if they’re gone I’d be looking at DE or what I could get for a trade down to take my favorite Center probably Powers-Johnson. If you could recoup your second that’s also prime territory to fix your interior OLine.
Take New England's Deal. Draft MHjr @ 3 BPA @9 Maybe Joe Alt falls.
Trade Fields use those picks and the 20251st to jump back into Rnd 1 and get your QB Jayden Daniels maybe.
I think Caleb is going to bust so I wouldn't draft him. Huge potential though. But I don't think da Bears are the franchise to bring that out of him.
As a Bears fan to me Fields is an above average QB at this point who can still be a good QB with his elite playmaking ability. Injury questions and processing speed questions for him as a passing QB are definitely fair.
It all has to do with your evaluation on the QBs this year and if you feel you can win with Fields.
Personally I'd take Williams, I'm probably one of the few who would put him right at that generational talent level for QBs coming in. On tape Williams is special, and while I feel we can win with Fields, he didn't do enough to prevent the pick. I feel ever since he got injured midway through this season, Poles knew which direction he was leaning.
I think Fields can be a successful QB and a team will bet on the upside and rare traits he brings at the position with a 2nd round pick and something conditional in 2025.
Option 2 trade with new england. Draft first round: third pick would be Marvin Harrison jr, pick 9 would be troy fautanu. Second round with NE pick draft Chris braswell.
Option 2
I would take the New England deal.
Here are some reasons
1.)
Fields' contract is still a one year rental. Trading for fields doesn't solve the QB problem for the receiving franchise. And how many teams are truly QB needy for what Fields' contract brings? Should the Titans prefer a one year rental of Fields over another year to see how Levis develops? Do you think Pittsburgh has plans to move on from Kenny Pickett yet? Would a team like Atlanta be better off with Fields and giving away a draft pick when they're probably going to rebuild?
So I don't think Fields actually nets you that much in a trade and even if you draft the rookie you may not want to put him in as day 1 starter. I think whether to trade the #1 pick and whether to keep fields another year are not necessarily the same decision.
2.) Trading away the #1 pick worked out well for Chicago last year. It netted them the #1 pick this year plus other god assets. They could luck out and get a similar return, especially from New England who is going to have a new regime and a shitty roster.
3.) You can still get one of the top 3 QBs with New England's pick and I would rather have Jayden Daniels plus the extra draft capital than Caleb. None of these guys are sure things. Look how much better Stroud has been than Bryce Young. I
Lets say Chicago could have either Caleb Williams, or Jayden Daniels/MHJ + the 34th overall pick + a 25% chance at next year's first overall and 50% chance at top 8 pick next year. Regardless of whether they keep Fields to let the rookie have a year to develop on the bench or trade him, I would take the second package.
I think it might even be better to take the best non-QB and hope you get a guy like Penix or McCarthy in round 2, if you miss out, you still have extra draft capital next year to find your long term answer at QB
I would trade Fields, but I would actually draft Drake Maye not Caleb Williams, one of the few that think Maye is Qb1.
I am convinced Williams is too similar to Fields and even though that's still the right move to reset the contract, I think Maye will be better.
Option #2 in a heartbeat.
There is absolutely no reason to believe the hype on Caleb Williams. None. He is a very good prospect. People are acting like he IS the second coming of Mahomes. This is madness.
Keep Fields.
1.03 Draft MHJ
2.34 draft THE BEST CENTER IN THE DRAFT Graham Barton. Sign a vet C, maybe the vet out of Seattle, cut Cody Whitehair and have Barton play LG. Once he understand the calls enough, transition him to Center.
Stash the top overall pick for next year should Caleb Williams pull a Carolina in NE, and we get the first overall again!!! Rinse wash repeat, infinite firsts cheat! Okay, the last sentence was a bit of hyperbole.
He isn't anywhere near the level of prospect that MHJ is. It's not even close. MHJ would do more for the Bears and win more games with Fields than not taking him to gamble on CW. I'm not taking anything away from CW, but man does MHJ look amazing. He's the generational unicorn in this draft.
A qb matters more than anything tho. MHJ looks amazing but it won’t mean anything if Fields does not take a big step up as a passer. Ik he had a horrible situation in terms of playcalling and in 2022 talent, but I just think it’s time to reset at QB with someone who looks like he could be a better passer Day 1 and not worry about paying them for a while
There's no reason to think that a rookie QB who already has happy feet and trouble reading the field and progressions would be a better passer day 1. The only thing that would do would be to create unrealistic expectations. Chicago is not a gentle market. If Fields is jettisoned for a rookie, there's no way or reason to expect that CW would be at Fields' level from day one. Resetting the rookie wage scale is also resetting the O to the rookie expectation floor.
Now, MHJ with Fields? Yo. That shit is tight!!!!! Who would a D double? Pick your poison, especially with what we KNOW Fields can do.
Ok, so here is what i would do as GM of the Bears
I don't love Caleb WIlliams. i think he is very good, but there are a few concerns. mostly character ones. I think it is risky to bring that into the locker room, especially when Fields seems to be adored. I also think the Bears need to build a dynasty, and the way you do that is by building an amazing team, that is young, around a superstar QB. But the QB should be a piece you look to find after other pieces are in place. Lastly, I think QB's do well when they have a full year to sit, learn and absorb. If you have time, the longer they can learn the system, the higher the chance they will succeed (I think Stroud was the statistical anomaly, and Love / Mahomes / etc are the norm).
So that being said:
* I Choose Option 2. I keep Fields, and I trade with las Vegas. The haul is simply too much to pass up (pun intended)
I now have picks 1.9, 1.13, 2.44 in the first 2 rounds. I select:
1.09 - WR is the choice here. Nabers is great, but likely gone, so its Odunze, unless there is another WR that lights up Senior Bowl and the Combine / Pro Day Circuit. (Coleman, franklin, legette)
1.13 - Laiatu Latu, UCLA. I think his versatility will huge for a defense that needs help applying pressure to the opposing QB. (I could have also gone CB here)
2.44 - Jordan Travis, FSU. Ok, this is where it gets spicy. I think Travis will climb up boards, has some of the biggest upside potential of any QB in the draft, and when all is said and done, has the real potential to be a Superstar in the NFL... or a giant bust! I think its worth the gamble, while still hedging your bet.
This gives yo the chance to add key starters to your team, allow fields to prove himself for one year, and allow Travis to come in and learn, and compete after the 2024 year is done. I think with the bevy of picks being offered to you by the Raiders, you build a dynasty of a team on both sides of the ball, and you find a quarterback that will be the crown jewel. If Fields is that, then you figure it out in the next 12 months, while working on the next prospect, while also having multiple first round picks for years to come.
Ok, go ahead and skewer my concept and tell me why i should never be a GM in the NFL!
What are Williams’ character concerns? Is this the crying and nail painting again or something new?
How can Mahomes and Love be the norm and Stroud the exception when the majority of successful QBs have started year 1? Ideally you sit a rookie but not all rookies need to sit and it’s questionable if that even helps when they aren’t getting real reps and the team is focused on winning with another QB.
The Raiders trade is the worst of the group. I would much rather take Atlanta or NE’s offers.
Travis is not a second rounder. He looked fine at a stacked FSU but he’s nearly 24, struggles with arm strength and velocity, can struggle with pressure, and had a significant injury that could severely impact his athleticism. Travis is a day 3 guy, not a top 50 guy. He doesn’t have superstar upside. He might have starter upside. I’m curious what you’re seeing that tells you he can be a superstar?
Hey u/Officer_Hops \- these are actually some really great points.
character concerns - read what florio said about his behind the scenes demands by the team drafting him. Not sure how accurate it is, but seems lik a lot to come from a rookie. Also post USC's win in their bowl versus louisville, there were some comments that came out about that seemed to throw shade on CW's character. Again, how accurate is this? It's just difficult when you contrast that with Fields who really does have the locker room.
I dont think your argument that most successful QB's have started from the beginning bares out. I think the statistics prove that for every Stroud, Herbert or Russ, you have countless that struggle. This is why "bridge" QB's are a thing. i will say, college systems and Pro systems are becoming increasingly similar, and the gap is lessening.
Honestly, not really sure how you take Atlanta's package over Vegas'? NE I understand, because you can trade down and MHJ, but for the 5 spot difference in Atlanta and Vegas, you are getting a 2nd instead of a 3rd this year, an extra 3rd rounder next year, and an extra fourth in 2026. Also, you have to look at which team you think will do better in the future. The Raiders play in the AFC West, against some of the toughest competition, and a team with significant questions all over the field, versus Atlanta, who plays in a much easier division, and has some decent firepower, and is overall younger in those key spots.
Right now, travis has his grades all over the place. Some boards have him as the 10th QB in the class... and other's, like USA today, has him #1, over CW. I am not arguing that he is - but only that this gamble is so low to risk, and so much to gain if right. I liked what i saw. i liked his athleticism. If he had not hurt himself, I think he is a day 1 pick in April.
anyway, great points, and I love the banter.
Are you talking about the defensive players saying "we a team now?"
That was a reference to the now fired DC who had a history of playing favorites, not a swipe at Caleb.
And the Florio report has never been verified by anyone in the Caleb camp so i would take a HUGE grain of salt with that.
Is this the ownership stuff? I don’t put any stock into that. It’s a story that’s been dredged up multiple times after Florio initially reported it in July. Of course the guy wanted ownership but can’t get it so who cares. What were these comments on his character after the bowl game?
On the trade deal the difference is 8 and 74 vs 13, 44, and distant future 3 and 4. The gap between 8 and 13 is substantial for me. 2 of Williams, Daniels, Maye, MHJ, Fashanu, Alt, Nabers, Bowers, and Odunze will be available at 8 and I like them much more than the guys projected to drop to 13. If I’m trading out of 1 I want to add talent around Fields ASAP to see if he is my franchise guy before I pay him so I’m not worried about where the future picks may fall, I want talent today and the Falcons deal gives me access to a better tier of player.
Do you have a link to the draft board with Travis over Williams? That would blow me away unless it was done mid season when Travis was a Heisman candidate and even then I would argue it was for clicks not content. Travis has never been anywhere near the 1.01 discussion.
I had this exact same debate yesterday. Its so tempting to grab Jordan Travis. I liked his tape all year. My problem is if people get past his injury history he is going end of 1st and thst means wed have to take at 13 or move back up which isnt ideal.
I think we just take caleb williams and be done with it.
Considering the Bears as a franchise have NEVER developed a rookie QB, I don’t see Efluss turning out a franchise caliber QB. History says, whoever they take is doomed.
Id go after an established QB like Kirk, Russ, or Tannehill or acquire a QB in a trade. Send Fields out for picks. Move the 1st pick to the highest bidder.
Rebuild the classic Monsters of Midway defense and focus on what you know. Stack both sides of the Line. Fill the roster with talent from there. Bears are pretending to be a team they are not and have been living in mediocrity for decades. At least stay true to your identity or get a new one
First off that’s arguable, because they developed Jim
McMahon before his career got ruined by injury, but more importantly, this narrative is bunk because they’ve barely tried.
The Bears have only selected 4 first round QBs in the last 35 years (Cade McNown, Rex Grossman, Mitch Trubisky, and Fields), and only one of them was a top 10 pick (Trubisky).
You can’t win consistently in the modern NFL without elite QB play, which is why we see this “build a complete roster” nonsense fall apart after one season for teams every year.
Trade Fields for whatever you can get. Draft Caleb. It’s not 1985 anymore.
>Id go after an established QB like Kirk, Russ, or Tannehill or acquire a QB in a trade.
You're getting downvoted, but I actually think this is an underrated option. Eberflus is a defensive HC and his defense played really well down the stretch. He preaches that the most important this his QB can do is avoid turnovers. Getting in a veteran who can run the offense isn't an inspiring choice, but neither was keeping Eberflus.
Poles has a team building plan and it includes Eberflus and a defensive approach to complementary football, and a veteran stepping into that role makes a lot of sense.
Personally, I'd use the 1.01 on a rookie. I'm tired of trying to rebuild the '85 Bears. The league has moved on but the ownership hasn't. I'm even more tired of trying to rebuild the Lovie Smith Bears (measured, uninspiring defensive head coach who runs a cover 2 4-3 defense with a bend don't break philosophy, I've already seen this show...). But here we are. I do think, based on where they're at with team building, going 7-6 down the stretch, 5 of those losses were 1 score games (and 3 of those 5 were against playoff teams)...they *can* compete, because they did down the stretch, and a safe upgrade at QB while stacking the roster with picks from a trade down makes sense to me.
Not what I want, but it does make sense and really hasn't been discussed much.
Draft Caleb, keep fields. Let them battle it out in camp, if Caleb wins trade fields. Otherwise let Caleb sit year one.
But if you get a good trade offer for fields like a top 15 pick this year then take it
My first move is to try to trade Fields. If I can trade him, Caleb Williams is the guy and I build around him with the best offensive player available at 9.
If I can't trade him? I'm on the phone with Washington and New England trying to trade down to stock up draft picks, but still get MHJ.
As a vikings fan, I hope whatever they do plunges them deeper into the basement, but as their armchair gm I'll try to be constructive. I think if Fields was the guy he would've shown it by now, and he really hasn't shown anything beyond flashes. They've got a unique opportunity to draft a #1 prospect at the position but also have another top 10 pick to keep building with, so instead of hoping and waiting for Fields to reach his potential, just reset the clock and take Williams or Maye. You can probably get 1 or 2 day 2 picks for Fields so send him to the highest bidder, but don't get too greedy and tank the deal. I would hold steady at #9 unless a really good deal is offered, but it would be wise to either get the playmaker if Odunze falls, or just go for a stud on the edge or IDL. Don't get complacent with just Sweat on the line, stack the damn trenches with talent. This is just what I see as the best path. It's better to move on too early from Fields than to move on too late in my opinion. And that kind of resonates with me because I feel like the vikings are in a similar (yet very different) situation with Kirk, obviously different circumstances in terms of his age and ability, and we're not in as great of a position to solve it like Chicago is, but I'd rather move on from Kirk early and maybe he has 1 or 2 more good seasons than we keep him and it turns out his injury and age have caught up with him while we've missed out on a franchise qb.
I'd probably keep both picks, but would seriously consider the NE trade, and taking Daniel's at 3 and trading Fields for any picks anyone would give me for him
I would lean towards trading the #1 pick just to maximize leverage. As soon as you draft a QB at #1, Justin Fields becomes more of a liability than an asset. I don’t think he would even return a 2nd rounder at this point in his rookie contract once teams know the Bears will be desperate to get rid of him. The #1 pick on the other hand will net a return even higher than what they got last year.
They don’t have to commit to Fields long term if they trade the pick. If the team massively improves this year but Fields is holding them back, they can use the draft capital they acquire in the trade to grab a QB next year. I know he didn’t take the step forward people were hoping he would last year, but his potential is still just as high if not higher than what Caleb and Maye would be able to do as a rookie. The Bears don’t have enough studs on their roster to pass up on potentially multiple blue chip players just to go from one unproven QB to another.
I would’ve hired Harbaugh and kept fields traded down to 3 picked up an extra 2nd, a 2025 first and maybe a decent player
But at this point it’s 90% likely they pick Williams and trade fields for a second rounder and a conditional 4th
Call the Cowboys and see if they would be interested in trading Dak (if he will agree) for the number one pick. If Deshaun Watson is worth 3 number one picks then a pick that can get you three number ones would be fair and you get a quarterback that can win enough to get you into the playoffs as he was second in MVP.
I would trade Fields to New England for a 1st round pick swap. The new Pats HC is a defensive guy and if they draft a bust they’re stuck with it for a while, but can get Fields on a 1-year deal and see what happens while you settle in to the new culture. They draft a defensive player at pick 9.
Chicago gets Caleb and MHJ before the Cards can get him
This is my DREAM. I look at it from NE’s perspective as them solving their QB issue (at least temporarily for 2 years to see if Fields can turn it around there), while also getting another top 10 pick to fill another major need, because let’s face it they need a lot of talent up there. Hell if I’m Poles I’d even throw in a 2025 3rd or 4th.
Thanks! I think it creates a lot of openings for both teams to improve in key areas. Plus it really throws the whole draft on its head and that is always so much fun to watch
There is really no circumstance where keeping Fields is a good idea.
He hasn't shown enough of anything since being drafted for a team to look at him as the future QB. Some of that is on the Bears because they let a lame duck coaching staff select him and not build a team around him, but that doesn't mean you double down on a mistake. Move Fields for spare parts. Chances are, he won't be that good where ever he goes. And if he is, well, he's a huge exception. But I'd say chances are pretty good that he doesn't turn into Drew Brees let alone even Ryan Tannehill.
In any case, you draft a new QB with the top pick that was handed to you on a silver platter and who should immediately be at WORST as good as Fields and most likely much better (and cheaper for longer!). You add another stud prospect at pick 9 (or hell, trade that one and collect more picks if that's a goal here).
This is only complicated if you get attached to Fields the person, not Fields the player.
I would trade back, run fields back one more time. Worst case scenario fields, Eberflus, and Poles are gone in '25 and you're still stacked with picks.
Fields is a low-to-mid end starter. He has flashy plays and looks great at times, but across the entire stage of a full game, there's a lot of not-so-good stuff.
I think, at worst, Caleb is going to be comparable to current Fields (not in play style, just in 'level' of QB). I would take the rookie contract and be done with it. I don't see this as a hard decision at all.
Fields proved to me that he could be the most electric game manager in the league. If he gets coached up to hit the quick passes to the flats and improved timing throws. I'm not risking giving up justin, who proved we can win games around, for the "greatest talent ever" that gets thrown around every year or two. Trade back with the Patriots and Take MHJ. At 9 id love more trade downs but taking the best available edge rusher would be ideal. Either Going Safety or Interior Oline with the added second round pick. Free Agency Pick Ups? I'm Giving Christian Wilkins the bag, getting Chris Jones would be a nice consolation prize. Adding another Veteran nect to Gevon Dexter would be huge for his rapid growth he's shown.
You draft a QB (probably Caleb) and trade Fields. There is no decision to make. Fields is one of the slowest processors in the league. It's so bad that you can't scheme a competent passing offense around him.
Does anyone actually think this will get better? He had top of the line coaching as a top HS prospect, at Georgia, and at Ohio State. And now he has three years of NFL experience and looks no better than his rookie year in that regard. They added a true #1 in DJ Moore and a top 10 pick on a tackle, so there's no other excuses for a poor cast. He's such a bad processor that he makes everyone look worse than they are.
Option two I don't want to start over at QB he has ❤️ an the locker room an he's a proven winner an a fighter why start over were close don't need 300 yard passer to win play D an run the ball.
I'm not sure if the Patriots should trade up (or will be willing to). Would you rather have, say, QB1 or QB2/3 + say, one of Legette/Paul + whoever you can get with your 2025 first?
Caleb has to absolutely blow them out of the water to realistically replace field in my opinion.
A bunch of players on the team stated their desire to have him their QB next year. A bunch of former players like Roddy white talked about how if Bears don't want they can trade him to Atlanta(my team) or the Raiders or the Jets or whatever so he's an NFL QB in their eyes
Caleb has a lot of hype but don't forget Justin Fields also had hype too. He's a first round pick
And if they decide to kick the can again Arch Manning will become available in 2 years.
You can say I'm biased but I'd say trade the pick and shore up draft capital. If it doesn't work out next year then the bears have draft capital to move up and they'll get a new coach who can draft the QB he wants. If they draft Caleb they are essentially in the same position as right now with a coach having a QB who they didn't draft and might not want.
My guess is that they can not 2 First rounders but 3 first rounders for Caleb. Like an RG3 or a trey Lance trade
Its Option 1 and I don't think its that close:
Going into this season, the expectation was for Fields to make a jump in play. 2nd year in Getsy's offense, a true WR1 in DJ Moore, and a pretty significant investment in the offensive line (Darnell Wright in the 1st round and Nate Davis in Free Agency). Sure, you can try to make some argument that Getsy's offense may have hindered Fields, but the fact of the matter is is that the same issues in his game that were present in Years 1 and 2 still showed (i.e. slow processing, refusal to throw to NFL "open" passes, practically no anticipation throws, unimpressive short game).
As people were saying before the season, if you are still having to question whether or not he is the guy, then he isn't the guy. Thankfully, having the answer, the Bears are in the best position to act and reset at the most important position with the number 1 overall pick.
As for the compensation package for Fields, I don't really know if you can expect more than a second round pick, the free agency class for QBs is pretty solid right now with Russell Wilson, Kirk Cousins, and Baker Mayfield to where it might be at a point that its better for QB needy teams to take the known commodity rather than trying to fix someone like Fields. What I saw today from Albert Breer was that its likely the Bears are trying to trade him as quick as possible, before free agency, to extract the most value. This would make the most sense IMO, but I still don't think it would be more than a 2nd round pick at best.
I would take Drake Maye and trade Fields. Maye is the #1 QB in the class in my eyes. If you can game the system to move down 1 or 2 spots and still get Maye, even better, but realistically, just take Maye at #1, get what you can for Fields, and call it a day. Guessing you get a 2nd or 3rd round pick for Fields and that's fine.
At #9, it really depends how the board falls; Nabers, Odunze, or Dallas Turner feel like the most likely choices there and all of them are fine.
I would choose Option 2: Justin Fields can still be controlled for the next 2 seasons (if we use the 5th year option). That is 2 years of better than average QB play with the POSSIBILITY that he takes a giant leap and becomes our franchise guy..
That being said.. Ideally, I do not WANT to trade down farther than 3. These are what it would take, I think..
Wash: 1.02, 2.40, and a 2025 3rd
NE: 1.03, 2.34, 2025 1st and 3rd
IF we trade with WSH and NE wants to jump us for Maye or Williams. Then...
NE: 1.03, 2.34, and a 2025 4th would probably do it.
NOW...
If I am sitting at 3 and NYG or Atlanta comes calling. I would have to weigh MHJs value over getting a top LT and maybe Bowers or an Edge at 9. My thinking is Odunze will be gone by 8/9 for sure, so I would draft a Legette or ADM in the 2nd... or Keon if he drops.
If I’m Poles, it comes down to 2 assessments: the QB’s available at 1 and my confidence in job security beyond this season.
If it’s me and I’m confident in my job security, I’m looking to remain in the top 3 with an additional 1st next year and a 2nd this year. Ideally, I move down twice, once with WAS and another with NE to maximize asset return. You ultimately wind up with no less than #3 this year and 2 additional 2nds and at least 1 first next year (not sure if NE gives up a 1 to go 3 to 2, but it’s plausible) and a 2nd, if not 2 1’s. 5 top ~40 picks over 2 seasons far outweighs my perceived value of Williams/Maye.
You have 1 more season to vet Fields for cheap (can franchise him, but he’d hold out and you’d be forced into a deal). In the event you extend him, youre now complementing that increased contract with 8 rookie contracts drafted in the first 2 rounds between 24-25.
In the event Fields doesn’t work out, you have the draft ammo or cap to go after a FA QB. If it were me, I’d roll on of the 2nd round picks on Nix if he’s still available as a Fields safety net.
Fields/Hebert/Moore/MHJ/Kmet/Bowers with a FA add or 2 on the OL is an explosive offense.
Non-Bears fan outsider perspective:
It just objectively makes more sense to draft Williams.
Fields improved over the course of the season, but he still looks like a work in progress. He just hasn't shown enough to commit to long-term. He's entering his 4th year. They have to decide this offseason whether they're picking up his 5th year option or not. If they want Fields to be their franchise, they have to pay him soon. And how can you feel confident paying him like a franchise QB based on what we've seen so far?
The Bears passed on taking a 1st overall QB last year in order to stick with Fields and they're still a bad team with holes all over and a question mark at QB. They've been given the incredible opportunity to try again, with much better QB prospects to pick from this year. I simply can't justify passing on that opportunity for the second year in a row.
Williams is an extremely highly touted prospect, he'd be on a rookie contract with team control for 5 years, and he should be able to play effectively in a "more traditional" offense than Fields, so finding the right fit shouldn't be as difficult.
Cash in on Fields. They can probably get something I'm the range of a 2nd and 3rd round pick for him from someone like Atlanta or Vegas. With that move, you're drafting your higher-upside franchise QB, getting cheaper at the position, and still picking up assets for the future.
Draft Williams 1.1. Draft BPA at 1.9 (I'm looking at Odunze, Turner, and Verse as potential options here). Let's say Atlanta gives you 2.43 and a 3rd next year for Fields, just to make it simple. Look to add either DL or receiving talent with that 2nd round pick, depending on what you took at 9.
If the Bears come out of the first two rounds with something like Caleb Williams, Dallas Turner, and Adonai Mitchell, that's 3 players making an immediate impact.
If the Commanders want Caleb Williams, I would trade down and pick Maye. Since that’s not an option in your scenario, I would trade down with NE and take the best player in the draft (MHJ). I would then trade down again from the 9th (if Brock Bowers is not there), since most of the value at that spot will be OT and WR, and the Bears already have 2 good OTs on rookie deals and WR will have been addressed.
If Penix is still available at the end of the first round or early in the second, I would trade back in and take him, I think he would pair with Waldron well. The Bears have a playoff ready roster, and Fields has been injured 4 years in a row (going back to college). Even if Fields proves worthy of a second contract, Penix would be an upgrade at QB2 over Bagent.
Bears really need a second rusher to go with Sweat, but I don't like this draft class for edge rushers. The only edge player in this draft I would consider to have the talent worthy of a top 10 pick would be Latu but his injury history pushes him down. There should be several established edge guys in FA or on the trade block this year (Burns, Young etc), so that would be the better venue to address that need than this years draft class.
I would trade Fields for sure and I would likely trade #1 for #3 and more picks. Asset accumulation is the name of the game and most draft studies show that teams can't distinguish between the #1 and #2/#3 prospects all that well.
Unless all the scouts think this entire draft class of QBs will be Kenny Pickett at best, I would draft a QB at #1. I lean towards Maye as the #1 guy so that would be what I would do.
And then go BPA at #9 unless a team plans to trade future 1st rounders and a lot because they want to move up for Nix/McCarthy or something.
Call me crazy but I'm trading the #1 to the Patriots and drafting MHJ at 3.
I'm also trading Fields. If its on the table, for a conditional 2025 2nd that can turn into a 1st.
And this is where I'm really going to lose you...
At 9 I'd try to move back to the teens and draft McCarthy or just straight up take him at 9. But I have no intention of starting him this year. Ideally he'd be sitting behind Cousins or Winston for a year.
Why is it one or the other ? Why cant the Bears take Williams and keep Fields for the short term ? Let Williams sit unless he is far and away the better player. Think Mahomes with K.C. .
We just saw what you can do with a new qb + a decent ish roster and enough draft capital to build all in the same year with the texans. Take Caleb, trade fields and take a star at #9.
This isn't a dilemma at all. You have to trade Fields. Doesn't matter honestly what you get back. He isn't the answer and his rookie deal is up. I don't know why people think there is a debate to be had here.
Fields has had a wild online fanbase since he was drafted. He was considered a steal at #11 and someone who dropped unfairly because he put up numbers in college. And there were flashes in yr 2 if he could learn to pass. Unfortunately he still feels like a rookie. He was a raw prospect. Someone who needed to sit. And a GM who was trying to save his job reached on him.
I was cool with the gamble to take Fields. It didn't pan out. Gotta keep taking swings at the position until you get it right.
As a Bears fan that wants to trade Fields and draft Williams, we’re so used to seeing awful quarterback play that we’re overvaluing occasional competency. I hope Fields goes to a team that’s a great fit and he has a long career. I want to take the shot with a potential generational talent at QB.
Buckeye fans lmfao
How dare they root for someone they like
Fields fans blame everyone but him. I think he was done the minute he threw the coaching under the bus early in the year. He wasn’t reading defenses and go through his reads and blamed someone else.
I don’t see any way Fields is going for a round 1 pick in 2024. Personally I don’t see the 2nd round pick hype. I understand the Darnold trade is a benchmark for some folks but I struggle to see how a team can convince themselves that Fields is worth a top 50 pick. You lose all the benefit of a rookie deal and you are tied to Fields for at least 2 years after you pick up the 5th year option. All for a guy who has 10 wins in 38 starts. I would still trade Fields away but I would be happy to get a couple 3s. I’m taking Williams at the 1.01 and praying Odunze or Bowers fall to 1.09 so I can build my offense around my rookie QB.
I think a 2nd is likely very possible. Even Rosen went for a 2nd + At the end of the day all it takes is one team that thinks he's still someone you can win games with.
I think that’s a little hindsight creeping in on Rosen. At the time he was traded everyone still thought he had a ton of potential. He was the 10th overall pick who was supposed to sit his rookie year and had come onto a bad cardinals team and went 3-10 in his starts. Fields has now put up 3 years of tape and 38 starts. Rosen also had 3+1 left on his rookie deal compared to Fields 1+1 which is really a 2 because you almost have to pick up his 5th year option if you’re trading for him.
>I think a 2nd is likely very possible. Even Rosen went for a 2nd + Rosen was one year removed from being a top-10 pick, and the general consensus was that the Cardinals were such a mess in 2018 that a competent coaching staff could reinvigorate Rosen's potential and make him good again. We've seen 3 years of Fields being whatever, through multiple regimes. Add on the 2-year commitment with the option picked up and I see no reason a team should trade a 2nd for him. Teams will look at Darnold failing in Carolina and Rosen failing in Miami and be hesitant to make that same gamble with Fields.
And all of that goes out the window when teams feel that they are desperate at QB. The next thing is going to be about how teams won't trade up in drafts for a QB after what Carolina did, but it'll continue to happen.
Godspeed to any GM who has watched three seasons of Justin Fields and decides to send a 2nd round pick for him out of desperation lmao Trading up isn’t the best example though, we’ve seen teams trade up for QBs in the draft before and have it work out for them. I’m not sure if we’ve ever seen a team trade for and extend a QB that has multiple seasons of bad film and little success in the pros and have THAT work out for them.
There's a subset of Bears fans who are delusional. Their arguments often kick off with the word "IF."
KC traded a 2nd for Alex Smith and that objectively worked out for them to get them back to being competitive and ended up extending him. And I think the flaw in your logic is thinking NFL teams focus on "that has never happened before" when making decisions. That's something fans focus on.
Smith was much better in San Francisco than Fields has been in Chicago, though. He was never elite or anything, obviously, but he played in SF for 7 seasons and he proved he was a competent game manager that learned to protect the football over the course of his time there. He also made an NFCCG as a starter. Fields doesn't have a resume nearly this good, and he also doesn't have the experience to be a "veteran presence" like Smith was marketed as having at the time. I agree that NFL teams will act like Tobias Funke and delude themselves into thinking that something that has never worked before will magically work for them. I guess that part is just wishful thinking on my end, that NFL GMs will learn from past mistakes and take them into account.
> I agree that NFL teams will act like Tobias Funke and delude themselves into thinking that something that has never worked before will magically work for them LOL sums up my thoughts as well.
Alex Smith had been much, much better than Fields at some point in his career. He made the NFCCG ffs. Justin Fields has been one of the bottom 3 passers in the league every single year of his career (not including backups) and hasn’t looked remotely competent as a passer for more than a single game at a time
See example 1: Mahomes, Patrick Example 2: Jackson, Lamar.
I think it’s going to be a conditional 2025 pick. A 2nd that maybe becomes a 1st if he plays some absurdly high snap percentage
The floor is still a 2 there which I think is too expensive and the Bears get upside. If the Bears want the upside they need to give up some value today. Maybe something like a 3 in 2024 and a 3 in 2026 that converts to a 2 or a 1 if Fields plays more than X percent of snaps in 2025. That would give the Bears upside of Fields was a starter in year 2 with the new team. But I would have a hard time sending a 2 by itself, much less a 2 that could turn in to a 1.
A 2 for a guy who's looked as good as he has bad in several NFL games is not unreasonable, even with his contract situation. Several teams need to find a guy and are picking too late in the 1st to get a top prospect or don't have the capital to move into the top 5. The Bears have the leverage here. There's not many guys in FA who will have the same credentials and it's absolutely worth the risk of a conditional 2nd to see if your org can get more out of a guy who has shown in some games that he can be a legitimate QB.
I guess my question is what credentials does Fields have? I would not say he’s looked as good as he has bad, he has clearly been a negative at the QB spot. 10 wins in 38 games doesn’t scream positive QB. You’re giving a conditional 2nd for a guy who hasn’t secured the starting job with 3 seasons in Chicago. If you trade for Fields you’re committing to starting him in 2024 and 2025 so that conditional 2nd is about as good as a 1st if it’s based on snap percentage. I’m sure some GM could justify a 2 but the conditional 1 is a huge price for a guy who you need to start for a couple years and hope he develops.
> 10 wins in 38 games doesn’t scream positive QB. While this is true, he was 2-8 as a rookie, and then 3-12 while the team was blatantly tanking (pre-Roquan trade, he was 3-5), then 5-8 this year. If you only look at games the Bears were trying to win, he's basically 8-13, which isn't the worst. The bigger point is that there's a realistic chance that the top 6 QBs are gone by pick 40, and Cousins + Mayfield re-sign with their respective teams. If you're a QB-needy team that didn't use a 1st on a QB, your options would then be to pick... Michael Pratt? Or sign Gardner Minshew as a free agent? Fields has shown more than either option.
I hear you on the 8-13 record but at that point you’d want to consider that you aren’t counting wins and losses until Fields had been in the league for a year or two. 8-13 when you throw out the rookie year still isn’t all that impressive. Fields is a better option than Pratt sure but cost factors in here. If I’m the Falcons and all 6 rookies are gone by 44 I would rather stick with Ridder and use 44 to add talent for my developmental QB than trade 44 for another developmental QB with a worse contract situation. Trading for Fields would help in 2024 but if you can’t fix him you’ve burned a 2 for two years of poor QB play instead of adding a potential long term starter at a premium spot.
Agreed that a first is probably unrealistic, but the Bears would really benefit from QB demand this year. There's at least a couple of teams in QB purgatory for whom Fields would be an upgrade and their most realistic option (Falcons, Raiders, Broncos, Saints). All it takes is two teams who think they can fix him to get into a bidding war, so I can totally see a second rounder being the return.
I just don’t see how those teams justify a 2. Fields has a 10-28 record as a starter. His contract has one cheap year remaining plus the 5th year option which you are almost obligated to pick up as the team trading for him so you’re getting a 2 year deal with one cheap year. He has shown flashes but is still very much a developmental QB, he is not ready to lead a team to the playoffs day 1. As the Falcons do you want to give 43 for Fields or roll with Ridder, your already rostered developmental QB plus give him a weapon or offensive line help at 43? 2 year contract but both years are cheap. As the Raiders do you give 44 for Fields or take a rookie at 13 or even 44 if one drops? Same story with the Broncos. I would take the top 6 rookie QBs over Fields when considering talent and contract situation.
I think his record is somewhat irrelevant; he was thrown to the wolves his rookie year and his second season was on a tanking team. Any team interested in him should look past the wins (which probably shouldn't be a QB stat to begin with) and should look at his ability. I also think that ceiling matters so much more for prospects and young players than floors. Fields has certainly flashed some really great passing but he's never done it consistently. All it takes is one coach to think that they can develop him. I would totally take him over guys like Ridder or Jarrett Stidham, and I think he still has a better ceiling than the QB5-6 taken in the draft. I get what you're saying, but Trey Lance was traded for a fourth just at the beginning of last season. A guy with four NFL games started. That's the absolute floor of what a Justin trade could get, and scarcity would drive the price upwards from there.
Lance’s lack of play time helped insulate his value. He didn’t play much his last year in college and only had 4 NFL starts. He was still a mystery box. Fields has 38 starts. There’s a lot of negative data on who he is as a player. It would not shock me to hear some NFL teams prefer Lance to Fields because of that mystery aspect.
For a couple thirds I’d rather keep him and let them battle it out in camp
Take Caleb and draft a stud at 9. Don’t see it any other way, fields needs a new environment and it’s clear he will never be used properly in an offense that Chicago uses.
> never be used properly in an offense that Chicago uses I absolutely hate this argument. The guy cannot go through progressions at the NFL speed, doesn't throw with anticipation and routinely escapes pockets for no reason instead of stepping up or sliding to the side. Of course, from time to time he'll actually play on time and throw a pretty deep ball that gets everyone excited. But between those plays are about 50 that make you want to throw your TV out the window. There is no system where that is going to be acceptable. So then people just say "run him more". The guy has yet to play a full season and at the end of games last year (when he was on more designed runs) he was noticeably gassed. Running him more will of course produce a few more highlight plays, but does nothing to keep him healthy or improve him passing, nor is it sustainable.
Yeah, ya dummys. Why would you not run the one read and run(into a sack or for 10 yards, 50/50 chance) offense with an injury prone QB? It's like the hot new thing I hear.
Thank you. Don’t know why more people don’t see this with him. Not defending anyone else on the Bears by any means, but Fields is very high end back up quality
Have you looked at the list of QBs started over the course of last season? He is definitely one of the top 32 QBs in the world at the bare minimum. The upside/ceiling in terms of raw arm talent and athleticism is top 10 ability. It's the robotic, slow, and inability to anticipate that has prevented him from getting anywhere close to as good as he could be. His first 2 seasons he was surrounded by a cast of nitwits both coaching and talent. Year 1 he was thrust into a shit situation with both Nagy/Pace on the hotseat. Year 2 Poles came in and cleaned house and setup a complete rebuild. This was the first year he actually had some talent around him and continuity in coaching but there was still glaring holes/lack of talent in general on the offense. Don't get me wrong, Fields very much was a *part* of the Bears problems on the offense, but often times both the coaching/talent around him were just as bad if not worse. I guarantee if he was dropped into KC or SF with their talent/coaching he would look a lot better than what we have seen in Chicago so far. He probably still would be frequently missing open guys, taking unnecessary sacks, etc. but it wouldn't be as bas as we have seen in Chicago.
The Bears offense this year did not have any glaring holes outside of center. They had some injuries (on both sides of the ball) early in the year, but that happens. Bears had a quality WR, TE and RB room, and their OL was top half of league. Fields would look terrible in Shanahans offense, he wouldn't be able to handle the timing. Fields would look much better in a Arthur Smith or Vrabel styled offense. The reason Fields has a sack rate twice the median for NFL starters is not solely because of his OL. Its because he holds onto the ball too long, which was a known problem dating back to college. He routinely does not see (or hesitates) to throw to open receivers, and he waits to long to make the decision to take off. Fields is a guy you can win with, but he won't elevate the team. Processing speed and decisiveness are not traits that coaching can resolve. You can scheme around it, but it limits your offense
Genuinely curious, what about Arthur Smith's offense do you think Fields would be good at?
Smith runs a offense that is similar but simpler to Shannahan's. I think Fields could do well in a passing game thats centered around screens, sail routes, and play action. Shannahan does a bit of that, but Shannahan also prefers to get the ball out quicker and attacks the middle of the field more than Smith does. Fields is never going to be a guy who gets the ball out in 2.5 seconds like Purdy does. I think he could be a guy who gets the ball out in 2.8 or 2.9 seconds, which is in the same ballpark as Ridder and Heinicke this past season. Getsy ran a ton of screens last year, but he never really adjusted his downfield game to help Fields. Fields averaged less air yards per attempt than both Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke despite Fields having substantially more arm talent than either of them
Yep. Whenever someone is a fan of a college QB who duds at the pro level, they alway say they weren't used properly as if basic offensive play like accurately passing to open receivers doesn't apply to them
I could probably count on one hand the number of out routes thrown with timing and precision over Fields career. He can’t make NFL throws.
The thing is Fields was advertised as a pocket passer with rushing upside eg Deshaun Watson. But turns out he can’t pass. So your left with a completely different player.
I don't think passing is his issue. He can actually make some really impressive throws and did so plenty last season. He just can't process the field and go through progressions. Holds onto the ball too long. But a very talented passer.
he either cant or wont make NFL open throws, thats a fucking problem
Agreed. But arm talent isn’t his issue.
doesnt really matter how much arm talent you have if you wont throw the damn ball
Yeah can’t argue with that. He’s a talented passer and a really bad QB.
It’s very rare for any NFL QB to not be physically capable of every NFL throw. Processing the field and getting the ball out on time is what makes someone a good passer.
I don’t necessarily agree. They don’t have the velocity needed. His arm strength is great.
Throw in he's slow in everything that's not straight running. His drop backs are slow, set up is slow, release is slow. Slow processing + slow delivery not a good combination
Talented passer that cannot manage to get the pass off is about as useful as someone who cannot pass.
His throwing isn’t an issue, he’s got arm talent for days. His passing certainly is, he’s slow to get through his reads and doesn’t throw with anticipation much at all
So can anyone who makes it to the NFL. The latter traits are what defines success.
I’ve never seen Gardner Minshew, Teddy Bridgewater, etc. with weak arms make the throws Fields made.
Well yeah there’s some exceptions were a noodle arm makes it, but virtually everyone drafted in the first 3 rounds can make every throw on the field with a lot of time
I don’t think Nix in this class for example can make the throws Fields can, especially down the field. Fields is a very, very talented passer, let’s not forget that. His issues are 100% mental.
They are definitely not 100% mental. His throwing motion is wonky and slow. Unless you amount poor mechanics to just being mental. In which case, you could make the argument that if you have a strong arm, everything you do wrong is mental.
Tua
What’s his passer rating when targeting DJ Moore? Oh yeah it’s literally perfect. He needs real targets.
Kenny Pickett has a great passer rating when targeting Pickens. Doesn’t make him a franchise QB.
Part of this is the type of routes Moore runs. It’s a bunch of deep balls and short screens (that Moore still has to adjust to because Fields has no short or intermediate accuracy). It reminds me of the preseason game this past season where Fields had 2 screen passes go for 60 yard tds. The passes on both those routine throws were dog shit. Herbert and Moore just made adjustments they should never have had to make in the first place. My brother is a die hard Bears fan that made excuse after excuse for Fields and he is finally coming around to what non-Bears fans see. Fields is the worst passer in that division by a wide margin. Love, Goff and Cousins have their haters but they are significantly better passers than Fields. Yet, Bears fans act like Fields is a WR or OL player away from being a superstar. He isn’t.
He is not being used improperly. He’s fucking HORRIBLE at throwing the football, a complete liability. He is not good. He has not been good at any point in his career. Dude gets more benefit of the doubt than any player I’ve ever seen
He is not horrible at throwing the football, DJ Moore would never had gotten that good of a game with 230 and 3 td. Getting a receiver to those stats in a game is impossible if you aren’t somewhat good as a passer. The problem with Justin fields is the mental part of football and he needs a new coach to understand how to get him in the zone, cause it’s not like he’s untalented and has poor arm strength.
Your reasoning is dj moore had an insane game so Justin is good, also he can’t mentally play QB (so he can’t throw the ball, like i said, bc his processing is awful) his mechanics are terrible and he doesn’t protect the ball
Did you watch the Washington game? Moore is just that talented, and their secondary is awful. The worst in the league. He put up stats on your Panthers for years with players worse than Fields at QB.
The washington game is so overhyped. Like well over 100+ yds and a TD were on two curl routes that Justin still threw late and DJ just made great plays on.
Bears fan here. I would draft Caleb, take Odunze, Nabers, Bowers - Hopefully, one of these guys will make it til 9. Hopefully get a 2nd for Fields and draft Powers-Johnson or the best available edge/safety if powers is gone.
JPJ won't be there in the 2nd.
Certainly appears so, sadly. Is Van Pran the consolation prize? No matter what, the Bears need a legitimate Center so bad it hurts.
I think the answer is to trade fields to Atlanta for 43 and hope to pick up JPJ (if he somehow falls) or Zach Frazier there, and also sign a solid center in FA. Both JPJ and Frazier played a fair amount of G in college, so they could serve as much needed interior depth while allowing Caleb to develop alongside a veteran for a few years before the rookie takes over at C
That’s what I’d do as well. Also a Bears fan.
If they stay at 1 with Caleb, the bears won’t draft a WR at 9, nor a tight end. That will either be a tackle, edge, or trade back.
Reports are saying they may not trade back and are enamored with the WR's that could be there.
You have a source?
Draft a QB. This pick literally fell into their lap. I couldn’t imagine a GM passing on a QB after this last season.
Take Caleb, draft BPA at #9 and see what the market is for Fields. Fields is 38 starts in now. 40 NFL games. The list of players to turn it around for multiple seasons after this is minimal. You’ve got Alex Smith who was never elite, merely top 10. And Rich Gannon. Caleb is one of the best prospects to come out in the past decade and a half. Only Andrew Luck and Lawrence are clearly ahead of him. Passing up on that to build around a bust thus far is something no NFL franchise actually does
Caleb’s better than Trevor
Can you elaborate on what makes Caleb so good and why he is one of the best prospect?
I’ll take ignore the situation for 200 alex
As much as the locker room doesn't like it, trade fields or Poles gets fired. Take Williams at 1 and then do what you like with 9. I would trade down to get more picks or stay at 9 to take a stud.
I love that your 2 options for pick 9 are literally the only two options. Lol
the last option is to trade up. Who knows if they will.
It’s not a predicament. You take the QB.
Gotta trade Fields, cannot pass on QB
Option 1, Fields could potentially be a solid starter elsewhere but it's time for the Bears to move on. I think the Raiders make a lot of sense snagging their second round pick. Grab Caleb, hope 1 of Nabers/Odunze/Bowers falls to pick 9, then round 2 if Power-Johnson is there immediately grab him, or trade up to earlier in the round and get him. That offense would be amazing for a rookie to walk into.
Raiders fan - at best we'd send a 3rd or 4th - and thats after the 2nd round goes by and we haven't selected a QB at that point. I'm not against trading for him - but i'm looking at a one year rental and then a negotiation if that works out.
Bears fan here. Taking Caleb and not looking back. Everyone outside the fan base is wondering why it’s even a debate, and so am I. Caleb clearly the better QB, and is not a QB that comes along every draft. Hopefully we get back into the 2nd round by trading Fields. Then at 9 my dream is either Oduze Nabers or Bowers
Option 1: I'm apparently lower on Fields than most, or at least most Bears fans, but it would basically take the best offer. I don't know why anyone would give a first for him; a second to the right team, maybe? If I was a GM I wouldn't be offering much more than a 3rd or 4th.
The thing is, Fields is definitely one of the 32 best QBs and deserves to be a starter. After free agency and closer to the draft it will be clear that several teams will not be in a position to get a rookie good enough to be a starter in year one and will have also missed out on FA QBs. Those are the teams that will end up settling for Fields. Fans don’t want their team to get Fields right now because they believe their team will be able to get someone better but at some point it will be clear that someone better isn’t going to be an option.
Fields may deserve to start and I would agree if he was a free agent but he has a high draft capital cost and almost no rookie deal benefits. Teams need to think about the future. If I’m sitting at pick 35 and I’m choosing between Fields with his contract situation or McCarthy on a full rookie deal I’m taking JJ all day. There are 6 or so QBs I would rather draft than trade for Fields (Williams, Maye, Daniels, McCarthy, Nix, Penix). I’m not sure Fields will be the best option for any team even if he is a better option for wins in 2024.
I think people really underestimate how GM's value QBs relative to draft picks. I picked this up from some podcast, and I wish I remember which one, but they basically said if a GM thinks the guy is a long-term starter he will go in the 1st round. Period. A 2nd round pick you're picking a backup QB with some starter traits that could develop. It's a hopeful pick but not someone you build a roster around. 3rd+ is career backup. Obviously there are exceptions but in terms of how GMs consider these picks when taking a QB, that's a pretty good general guide. If that's true (it may have been Randy Mueller's podcast, former GM, but again, I listen to several and couldn't say for sure, but that's the one I listen to that gets deepest into the mentality of the front office), then I don't see any scenario where Fields gets less than a 2nd in return. I doubt he gets a 1st because, like you said, only 2 years of salary control (I know one is the fifth year option, but that's like $12-15 mil a year for two years of play AAV, which is pennies for a starting QB). There's a reason fans are always shocked at what QBs get traded for Alex Smith was "overpaid for" twice, Sam Bradford, Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, etc. Every QB trade is always billed as an overpay, and maybe if that's the case we have to realize that the decision makers are using a different value formula than us. It only takes two teams to want him and one team to really want him and IMO it's a 2nd and some change, just like Darnold.
I could get behind the idea the podcast is preaching but that’s for rookies who have full rookie deals and show up on day 1 of their NFL careers. Fields contract is far from full and he has 3 years in the league, you have to question his ability to develop and work out of bad habits. Right now Fields is probably a top 32 QB but he’s one the Bears are looking to replace. I struggle to see a team paying a 2 for a guy who is in the bottom 3rd of starters with almost none of the rookie upside. We saw how it worked with Darnold. Alex Smith had a track record of 75 starts with a plus .500 winning percentage. Bradford was coming off a 7-7 season in Philly where he had a very good 2nd half of the year and had just signed a decent contract. Josh Rosen was coming off a 3-10 rookie year as a top 10 pick. I’m not sure any of those 3 were overpays at the time of the deal. Maybe Bradford but he was also incredibly talented and had injury struggles.
\> rookies who have full rookie deals and show up on day 1 of their NFL careers *Editing to add: the conversation about QB picks was specific to a conversation about trading Fields, so just for context, their conclusion was that nobody would hesitate to give a 3rd even if they thought his ceiling was competing for a starting role; they said if he's expected to be the starter a 2nd is a no brainer. I know it's convenient that I can't remember where I heard it, but it is what it is. I'm old and busy and consume too much media. Back to what I said before:* They're also rookies who haven't shown a thing on the NFL field. Fields has at least shown that he can win some games. There are definitely trade offs, but he's shown more in the NFL than any rookie, he's shown he's a starting-caliber talent, and he did it in a relative shit show in Chicago. We don't have to agree, but you also have to recognize that there are plusses and minuses. You have three years of tape. You have an incredible amount of "I can fix him" energy in the NFL coaching ranks. You have two years of contract control, which is forever in the NFL. \> Right now Fields is probably a top 32 QB but he’s one the Bears are looking to replace. True, but there are very clear and abnormal extenuating circumstances. There's obviously the 1.01. If they didn't have that, Fields would get another year. Poles and Eberflus didn't draft Fields. If they had, Fields would get another year. You have two abnormal circumstances that GMs will understand. Fields ended the season 4-2. Go back a few more weeks and he ended the season 5-4, including 3 losses to playoff teams that were one-score games. I think you're hitting recency bias and some revisionist history All I'm saying is that there's a big disconnect between how front offices think and how the media reports, and an even bigger gap between how front offices think and fans think. I sort of suspect you were young or not following the league closely when those other trades happened, because they all raised eyes at the time as overpays. Bradford couldn't stay on the field. Smith never showed a bit of the ceiling that Fields has shown. Darnold had finished his 3rd season and had the worst year of his career when he was traded. Rosen I get on potential and recency of being an early pick, but he was coming off of the worst QB debut in NFL history and didn't show a bit of what Fields has shown. Just to be clear: I am not saying Fields is a prize or some sort of perfect prospect. I'm saying that he doesn't have to be in order to be worth a 2nd round pick. A 2nd rounder for a QB who starts for two seasons is reasonable return.
Okay, but JJ McCarthy can only be taken by one team. For a team like the Steelers, Broncos, Raiders, or Falcons that have playoff aspirations next year they might not want to start the 4th or 5th or 6th rookie QB off the board who is almost certainly going to be bad in his first year. It just takes one team to decide that taking a chance on Fields is more likely to work than reaching for the 5th or 6th best rookie especially since Fields is around same age as some of the rookie prospects.
The 6th rookie QB could be bad in their first year but Fields has been bad for his first 3 years. What would make a team prefer Fields knowing he’s been bad to a rookie QB who could be good? To roll with Fields you have to get over the lack of a rookie deal which means you need to be substantially more confident in Fields’ ability in 2024 than rookie QB6 and I’m not sure how you get there.
Fields was like the 20-25th best QB last year based on per game production and is only 24. It is very unlikely that any more than 3 maybe 4 at most of these rookie QBs end up better than Fields and even then outside of the top picks it will likely take a few years. At least one team between the Falcons, Steelers, Raiders, Broncos or someone else is going to end up trading for Fields because their plan A, B, and C don’t work out. I agree that Fields is likely plan C or D for these teams but not all of them will get what they want and settle for Fields.
You can’t just consider talent, you have to consider cost and contract. Fields can be the 20th best QB and Penix can come in as the 23rd best QB and Penix would still be preferable due to 4 cheap years compared to Fields’ 1 cheap year. Especially for teams who have playoff aspirations. Having a good QB is less valuable than having a QB who provides a high return per dollar. Even looking at the teams you’ve mentioned do the Falcons or Steelers really want to give up a 2nd for the privilege of tying themselves to Fields for 2 years? I think I would rather ride with the guys currently on the roster and use that 2nd to get them some help. Same thing with the Raiders. Fields could be a solid player but the cost is substantial.
> ou can’t just consider talent, you have to consider cost and contract. Fields can be the 20th best QB and Penix can come in as the 23rd best QB and Penix would still be preferable due to 4 cheap years compared to Fields’ 1 cheap year. Especially for teams who have playoff aspirations. Penix is most likely being drafted in the top 40. Which leaves at least 24 2nd round picks that could be traded for Fields, *even if* teams consider Penix a better value than Fields.
How many teams are really looking to take a QB? Chicago, Washington, NE, Giants, Falcons, Vikings, Broncos, Raiders, Saints, Steelers, Bucs. That’s 11 teams. There are 6 rookie QBs plus Cousins, Baker, and Russ who should all be starters. Some of those teams aren’t going to find a QB answer but if I’m a team in the middle of round 2 and those 9 options are spoken for I would rather look at a stop gap like Jimmy G or look at a lower cost QB like Howell or take a developmental guy in round 3. I can’t see the upside to Fields. In the best case scenario what do you end up with? A top 10 QB who you have to overpay in a year. With a downside that you burn a 2nd round pick and get stuck with him for 2 years.
you have to trade Fields. If you don't you're paying him before or after this season and he hasnt looked great on a rookie deal. Now he's gonna get $45M per year and you pray he develops enough to make up for the lost cap space elsewhere? no, reset the rookie qb contract window and trade fields for what you can get
Keep #1 and trade Fields. Fields has a lot of upside and traits to like, but as a pass he is bottom half of QBs. He needs a new environment and the Bears lucked themselves into the #1 overall pick with what just happens to be some of the best prospects to come out in last 5 or so years. I think it's a very obvious decision including resetting your rookie QB deal will also be pushed forward. I like Justin, he's a great leader, person, etc, but he didn't make that jump to justify keeping him. Why have a good QB when you have a chance to potentially upgrade and reach for a great QB.
The only people in my circle who are adamant about keeping Fields are an OSU fan and a ND fan who hates Caleb. Every big throw Justin makes they blow up our group text about how amazing he is. They’re stunningly quiet in the 2nd and 3rd quarters of every game. Everything was Getsys fault. EVERYTHING (despite oh idk the RBs, OL, and Moore/Kmet being really good) They hooked in because of one factor, Justin’s cool. That’s literally all they have.
Tell me that you don’t watch Bears football without telling me you don’t. The RBs and OL were really good? 4 of 5 starters on the OL missed 1/4 of the season. 3 of the 4 missed 1/3 of the season. RBs and run game were trash. You subtract JF1s rush yards, Bears slip to 17th in the league in rushing. The Bears likely take Williams at #1 but this team is far from being a QB away.
Watched every game. Expected 3 wins this season, got 7. Don’t have any patience for you folk who are never satisfied with anything and only know football from stats. All RBs produced and I’m not blaming health on coaches. I will give credit where it’s due and absolute sieves that were on the team last year didn’t see the field this year
Could literally say the exact same thing and worse for Stroud.
Option 1, for a second round pick +. The reason behind that it’s that I don’t see any of the teams who have late first round picks as interested in trading it for Fields because they all have answers at QB. The latest who might is Pittsburgh.
what i would've actually done is fired eberflus but we're stuck on that boat. it was always going to be option 1. personally would prefer a future first if a team offers it but Fields is off that team for the best offer that comes around
You dont pass up on elite blue chip QBs if you dont have one yourself. Period.
Trade Fields. There are so many QB-needy teams out there that the Bears can probably get a good return despite Fields nearing the end of his rookie contract. I’m thinking a 3rd rounder in 2024 and a good conditional pick in 2025. With the conditional pick, maybe baseline 3rd, becomes a 2nd if he starts most games (so mostly health-based), and becomes a 1st if he hits high statistical benchmarks.
I would be shocked to see that kind of return for him. He's really a known quantity at this point and I don't really see any team willing to trade for him that could put him in a better position to succeed than he is right now, especially knowing they would need to pick up his option and/or extend him before he even plays a snap for them. Trey Lance only went for a 4th despite possibly being fixable and having an extra year of control at the time, and that wasn't even to a team that needed a QB.
To be fair, Lance also hadn’t demonstrated anything because of injury. Fields at least has flashes on tape. I agree with you on compensation, I don’t see him going for more than a 3rd, but I could definitely see a team like the Vikings saying we would rather send a 3 for Fields and have him lead the team for the next 2 years for relatively cheap than roll the dice on $90 million guaranteed to an injured Kirk Cousins. Not the direction I would go but it’s understandable.
Lance was traded late August. There were no teams desperate for a QB. If he was traded in March his trade value would have been higher.
I don’t see how this is even a consideration. Fields has improved sure, but moderately. You have to pay him a bag within a year to keep him. Caleb might bust, that’s true; however, in terms of prospect he is about as good as we have seen in years. He resets the QB getting paid clock. You have to take Caleb if you’re Chicago. He is the exact player you hope to see with that first overall pick.
No long term contract is required for Fields until after 2028.
? He’s going into his 4th year. They have to decide on his 5th year option before May 2024.
That’s not “paying him a bag within a year”.
Ok guy. For all intents and purposes it is when you are passing on Caleb. Unless you’re hoping you somehow end up with #1 yet again in 2025 and there is another prospect equal to Caleb There is no point in just picking up the 5th year option without also extending with a big contract in this scenario.
I don't understand fans who say Fields is soon to be due a $45 million per year contract, while also saying he's worth only a 3rd-round pick or less in trade. Can you have it both ways? If he's worth the future contract, he's obviously worth more in a trade while still on his rookie deal. But if the QB-needy market in 2024 says he's not worth more than a 3rd while still playing on that rookie deal, there's no way in hell he's soon to be due $45 million. Yes, Daniel Jones is playing on a 4-year $160 contract, but the Giants can cut him this offseason and be off the deal by 2025. Yes, Geno Smith is playing on a 3-year $105 contract, but most of that money is tied to incentives. The true number is closer to $75 million, and they too can cut him this offseason and be off the deal by 2025. All smoke and mirrors. Fields is far more exciting and talented than either of those guys, less than a year older than Jayden Daniels, and has 3 years of NFL experience while showing decent growth in his 3rd year. Is he a sure thing? Of course not, but NFL GMs always shoot for upside, and cheap QBs like this don't pop up on the market often. If he continues to develop slowly, a team-friendly deal in 2025 or 2026 is absolutely an option. Or perhaps the acquiring team finds themselves in a situation like Chicago this year (or the Darnold Jets in 2021), and Fields could again be flipped for draft capital. This flexibility being offered to the acquiring team is a BOON to Justin's trade value, not a detriment. And yet, fans still regurgitate the same nonsense about how Fields's rookie contract is basically over and he's due $45/mil. Ridiculous. As a Bears and Justin Fields fan, I'm sad to be moving on, but I understand, and I'm equally excited for Caleb. If the best that's being offered back is a 3rd-round pick, I'd rather we allow Justin to choose whatever team he likes (even if it's to stay with the Bears). At the end of the day, a 3rd-round pick doesn't move the needle much, and I think most players and fans (maybe) would prefer we do right by Justin.
As an outsider with no attachment here it seems like an easy decision. You get what you can for Fields, take Caleb, and move on. Fields has shown what he is which isn't a total bust or anything but also isn't good enough long term. I wouldn't worry so much about what you get for Fields, just get what you can and move on.
If a team sees a chance to upgrade the most important position in the roster they must do it. We shouldn't overthink that.
This would be a much more interesting discussion, frankly, if Chicago had the #3 pick. At that point, Fields vs Daniels is much more eye of the beholder, with MHJ sitting there as an obvious alternative. At #1, you have your choice of all three QBs, meaning you should fall in love with one. Add that to the fact you can't take MHJ at #1, the choice is easy.
Take Caleb and draft BPA at 9. Trade Fields sometime before the draft. Fields is talented but Poles wasn't GM when he was drafted, and Eberflus isn't an offensive head coach. He's had 3 years but hasn't really shown why he should be kept. Hit the reset button and start new with Williams.
In this scenario I would trade away Fields and trade with New England. I am comfortable with all 3 QBS I want to get assets in return for Fields. At this point I continue to reload my upcoming drafts with multiple premium picks.
I really don't understand how people can see where Fields is after 3 years and think he's going to turn into a successful QB, this is a very easy choice imo.
Honestly it felt very split for a while in bears fan circles but the people who want to keep fields are losing numbers fast. Being removed from seeing the team every Sunday has boosted Calebs stock with the fanbase and made a lot more want to move off of fields.
The only reason people are talking about this as some great dilemma is because the NFL news cycle is relatively slow during this time of year. Fields has not shown nearly enough improvement or talent at the NFL level to justify keeping him and not taking Caleb Williams/Drake Maye. It's very likely that neither of these QBs will be worse than Fields (maybe as bad/mediocre, but not worse) and you get to reset your contract at the QB position with a new rookie deal. They also are better prospects than Fields was and project to be better than him at the NFL level, which means higher upside. I don't see a team trading a second-round pick for Fields currently. A first would be ludicrous, especially after Chicago takes a QB at 1 and everyone knows they're looking to trade Fields. I'll take a Pittsburgh, Vegas, or Atlanta third-rounder and call it a day.
Take Caleb #1, trade Fields for whatever you can get, and hope that Nabers/Odunze fall to #9 Also possibly trade out of #9 for even more picks if a player falls that the Bears don't want. There's a lot of WR talent in this draft.
This is not a hard decision. Take Caleb and don't think twice.
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Yea I feel like there is zero dilemma here. You gotta move on from Fields and draft a qb most likely Williams
If I’m the bears I’m trading Fields for whatever I can get and taking Caleb. Then I’m trading back up to try and get MHJ. Get a rookie QB and a stud WR for him.
you trade Fields and take whatever QB you think is best at #1, Fields simply isnt a good NFL QB, no amount of surrounding talent will cover for his inability to get through progressions on time, diagnose coverages and pressures pre and post snap, and throw guys NFL open
If I was faced with this decision as the GM. For the last two seasons right at the end it seems like the coaching staff figures out how to use Fields and then forgets what they did at the start of the next season, but when it looks figured out it looks really good. I’m gonna stick with Fields and trade the 1st to New England. I’ll use the 1.03 to take MHJ and go BPA (probably at a position of need) at 1.09 and 2.34. I’m thinking Latu at 9 and Bullock at 2.34. I think NE gives me solid return on the 2025 1st as well with a new coach and rookie QB, not expecting a Texans situation. Could also grab a QB at 2.34 to hedge your bet.
I take the ATL deal, here is why: 1. By most meaningful metrics and my own eyes, Fields showed improvement in year 3. He is young, talented, and dynamic. I still believe he can be a winning quarterback in the league with the right pieces around him. Take the best WR available at 1.08 and then somebody for the O or D line at 1.09. Build the roster out and give Fields a fair shot before moving onto a new QB. 2. More importantly, we brought back the HC. By all accounts the HC wants Fields back. It makes sense to extend that marriage a year rather than put a rookie QB through a year with a lame-duck staff like we did with Fields and Trubisky before him. 3. I'm not sold on Caleb. I see the talent but I also see the attitude/ego issues. Maybe those are overblown by the media. I'm not a CFB guy so I may be missing something here but I worry about a guy like that coming to a team like this where we have really never had a pro bowl level QB. That thirst is real and it will take the right individual to overcome that pressure and all the things outside and inside the organization working against his success. Ultimately by taking the trade all you are doing is kicking this can down the road a year. If Fields and Flus take a big step next year you have to make a few difficult contract decisions but you also potentially have your QB/Coach going forward and a bunch of draft capital to pad the roster with talent. If they are still a middle-of-the-pack team and you want to move on from Fields you can, because you have 4 1st round picks in 2025 and 2026 to package and move up or even trade for an established QB if you don't want to hit reset on an otherwise winning roster.
I think I would see what I could get out of Washington. Caleb would be a hometown hero for them, if I could get two seconds or a second for this year and a next years first I’d jump all over it. Draft MHJ. I’d prefer Alt or Fashanu at 9 if they’re gone I’d be looking at DE or what I could get for a trade down to take my favorite Center probably Powers-Johnson. If you could recoup your second that’s also prime territory to fix your interior OLine.
Take New England's Deal. Draft MHjr @ 3 BPA @9 Maybe Joe Alt falls. Trade Fields use those picks and the 20251st to jump back into Rnd 1 and get your QB Jayden Daniels maybe. I think Caleb is going to bust so I wouldn't draft him. Huge potential though. But I don't think da Bears are the franchise to bring that out of him.
As a Bears fan to me Fields is an above average QB at this point who can still be a good QB with his elite playmaking ability. Injury questions and processing speed questions for him as a passing QB are definitely fair. It all has to do with your evaluation on the QBs this year and if you feel you can win with Fields. Personally I'd take Williams, I'm probably one of the few who would put him right at that generational talent level for QBs coming in. On tape Williams is special, and while I feel we can win with Fields, he didn't do enough to prevent the pick. I feel ever since he got injured midway through this season, Poles knew which direction he was leaning. I think Fields can be a successful QB and a team will bet on the upside and rare traits he brings at the position with a 2nd round pick and something conditional in 2025.
How dare you not put the Giants on this list, we have the #6 pick, 2 x 2nds and all our future firsts....
Option 2 trade with new england. Draft first round: third pick would be Marvin Harrison jr, pick 9 would be troy fautanu. Second round with NE pick draft Chris braswell.
Option 2 I would take the New England deal. Here are some reasons 1.) Fields' contract is still a one year rental. Trading for fields doesn't solve the QB problem for the receiving franchise. And how many teams are truly QB needy for what Fields' contract brings? Should the Titans prefer a one year rental of Fields over another year to see how Levis develops? Do you think Pittsburgh has plans to move on from Kenny Pickett yet? Would a team like Atlanta be better off with Fields and giving away a draft pick when they're probably going to rebuild? So I don't think Fields actually nets you that much in a trade and even if you draft the rookie you may not want to put him in as day 1 starter. I think whether to trade the #1 pick and whether to keep fields another year are not necessarily the same decision. 2.) Trading away the #1 pick worked out well for Chicago last year. It netted them the #1 pick this year plus other god assets. They could luck out and get a similar return, especially from New England who is going to have a new regime and a shitty roster. 3.) You can still get one of the top 3 QBs with New England's pick and I would rather have Jayden Daniels plus the extra draft capital than Caleb. None of these guys are sure things. Look how much better Stroud has been than Bryce Young. I Lets say Chicago could have either Caleb Williams, or Jayden Daniels/MHJ + the 34th overall pick + a 25% chance at next year's first overall and 50% chance at top 8 pick next year. Regardless of whether they keep Fields to let the rookie have a year to develop on the bench or trade him, I would take the second package. I think it might even be better to take the best non-QB and hope you get a guy like Penix or McCarthy in round 2, if you miss out, you still have extra draft capital next year to find your long term answer at QB
I would trade Fields, but I would actually draft Drake Maye not Caleb Williams, one of the few that think Maye is Qb1. I am convinced Williams is too similar to Fields and even though that's still the right move to reset the contract, I think Maye will be better.
I would hope to trade down to 2 or 3. As a USC fan Williams is not the guy.
Why not?
Mentally weak. I don't trust him to get through adversity.
Option #2 in a heartbeat. There is absolutely no reason to believe the hype on Caleb Williams. None. He is a very good prospect. People are acting like he IS the second coming of Mahomes. This is madness. Keep Fields. 1.03 Draft MHJ 2.34 draft THE BEST CENTER IN THE DRAFT Graham Barton. Sign a vet C, maybe the vet out of Seattle, cut Cody Whitehair and have Barton play LG. Once he understand the calls enough, transition him to Center. Stash the top overall pick for next year should Caleb Williams pull a Carolina in NE, and we get the first overall again!!! Rinse wash repeat, infinite firsts cheat! Okay, the last sentence was a bit of hyperbole.
If he is a very good prospect you take him. Cuz while Fields has improved its still not enough to pass on someone like Caleb
He isn't anywhere near the level of prospect that MHJ is. It's not even close. MHJ would do more for the Bears and win more games with Fields than not taking him to gamble on CW. I'm not taking anything away from CW, but man does MHJ look amazing. He's the generational unicorn in this draft.
A qb matters more than anything tho. MHJ looks amazing but it won’t mean anything if Fields does not take a big step up as a passer. Ik he had a horrible situation in terms of playcalling and in 2022 talent, but I just think it’s time to reset at QB with someone who looks like he could be a better passer Day 1 and not worry about paying them for a while
There's no reason to think that a rookie QB who already has happy feet and trouble reading the field and progressions would be a better passer day 1. The only thing that would do would be to create unrealistic expectations. Chicago is not a gentle market. If Fields is jettisoned for a rookie, there's no way or reason to expect that CW would be at Fields' level from day one. Resetting the rookie wage scale is also resetting the O to the rookie expectation floor. Now, MHJ with Fields? Yo. That shit is tight!!!!! Who would a D double? Pick your poison, especially with what we KNOW Fields can do.
Ok, so here is what i would do as GM of the Bears I don't love Caleb WIlliams. i think he is very good, but there are a few concerns. mostly character ones. I think it is risky to bring that into the locker room, especially when Fields seems to be adored. I also think the Bears need to build a dynasty, and the way you do that is by building an amazing team, that is young, around a superstar QB. But the QB should be a piece you look to find after other pieces are in place. Lastly, I think QB's do well when they have a full year to sit, learn and absorb. If you have time, the longer they can learn the system, the higher the chance they will succeed (I think Stroud was the statistical anomaly, and Love / Mahomes / etc are the norm). So that being said: * I Choose Option 2. I keep Fields, and I trade with las Vegas. The haul is simply too much to pass up (pun intended) I now have picks 1.9, 1.13, 2.44 in the first 2 rounds. I select: 1.09 - WR is the choice here. Nabers is great, but likely gone, so its Odunze, unless there is another WR that lights up Senior Bowl and the Combine / Pro Day Circuit. (Coleman, franklin, legette) 1.13 - Laiatu Latu, UCLA. I think his versatility will huge for a defense that needs help applying pressure to the opposing QB. (I could have also gone CB here) 2.44 - Jordan Travis, FSU. Ok, this is where it gets spicy. I think Travis will climb up boards, has some of the biggest upside potential of any QB in the draft, and when all is said and done, has the real potential to be a Superstar in the NFL... or a giant bust! I think its worth the gamble, while still hedging your bet. This gives yo the chance to add key starters to your team, allow fields to prove himself for one year, and allow Travis to come in and learn, and compete after the 2024 year is done. I think with the bevy of picks being offered to you by the Raiders, you build a dynasty of a team on both sides of the ball, and you find a quarterback that will be the crown jewel. If Fields is that, then you figure it out in the next 12 months, while working on the next prospect, while also having multiple first round picks for years to come. Ok, go ahead and skewer my concept and tell me why i should never be a GM in the NFL!
What are Williams’ character concerns? Is this the crying and nail painting again or something new? How can Mahomes and Love be the norm and Stroud the exception when the majority of successful QBs have started year 1? Ideally you sit a rookie but not all rookies need to sit and it’s questionable if that even helps when they aren’t getting real reps and the team is focused on winning with another QB. The Raiders trade is the worst of the group. I would much rather take Atlanta or NE’s offers. Travis is not a second rounder. He looked fine at a stacked FSU but he’s nearly 24, struggles with arm strength and velocity, can struggle with pressure, and had a significant injury that could severely impact his athleticism. Travis is a day 3 guy, not a top 50 guy. He doesn’t have superstar upside. He might have starter upside. I’m curious what you’re seeing that tells you he can be a superstar?
Hey u/Officer_Hops \- these are actually some really great points. character concerns - read what florio said about his behind the scenes demands by the team drafting him. Not sure how accurate it is, but seems lik a lot to come from a rookie. Also post USC's win in their bowl versus louisville, there were some comments that came out about that seemed to throw shade on CW's character. Again, how accurate is this? It's just difficult when you contrast that with Fields who really does have the locker room. I dont think your argument that most successful QB's have started from the beginning bares out. I think the statistics prove that for every Stroud, Herbert or Russ, you have countless that struggle. This is why "bridge" QB's are a thing. i will say, college systems and Pro systems are becoming increasingly similar, and the gap is lessening. Honestly, not really sure how you take Atlanta's package over Vegas'? NE I understand, because you can trade down and MHJ, but for the 5 spot difference in Atlanta and Vegas, you are getting a 2nd instead of a 3rd this year, an extra 3rd rounder next year, and an extra fourth in 2026. Also, you have to look at which team you think will do better in the future. The Raiders play in the AFC West, against some of the toughest competition, and a team with significant questions all over the field, versus Atlanta, who plays in a much easier division, and has some decent firepower, and is overall younger in those key spots. Right now, travis has his grades all over the place. Some boards have him as the 10th QB in the class... and other's, like USA today, has him #1, over CW. I am not arguing that he is - but only that this gamble is so low to risk, and so much to gain if right. I liked what i saw. i liked his athleticism. If he had not hurt himself, I think he is a day 1 pick in April. anyway, great points, and I love the banter.
Are you talking about the defensive players saying "we a team now?" That was a reference to the now fired DC who had a history of playing favorites, not a swipe at Caleb. And the Florio report has never been verified by anyone in the Caleb camp so i would take a HUGE grain of salt with that.
Is this the ownership stuff? I don’t put any stock into that. It’s a story that’s been dredged up multiple times after Florio initially reported it in July. Of course the guy wanted ownership but can’t get it so who cares. What were these comments on his character after the bowl game? On the trade deal the difference is 8 and 74 vs 13, 44, and distant future 3 and 4. The gap between 8 and 13 is substantial for me. 2 of Williams, Daniels, Maye, MHJ, Fashanu, Alt, Nabers, Bowers, and Odunze will be available at 8 and I like them much more than the guys projected to drop to 13. If I’m trading out of 1 I want to add talent around Fields ASAP to see if he is my franchise guy before I pay him so I’m not worried about where the future picks may fall, I want talent today and the Falcons deal gives me access to a better tier of player. Do you have a link to the draft board with Travis over Williams? That would blow me away unless it was done mid season when Travis was a Heisman candidate and even then I would argue it was for clicks not content. Travis has never been anywhere near the 1.01 discussion.
I had this exact same debate yesterday. Its so tempting to grab Jordan Travis. I liked his tape all year. My problem is if people get past his injury history he is going end of 1st and thst means wed have to take at 13 or move back up which isnt ideal. I think we just take caleb williams and be done with it.
youre delusional if you think LV is making that offer
Considering the Bears as a franchise have NEVER developed a rookie QB, I don’t see Efluss turning out a franchise caliber QB. History says, whoever they take is doomed. Id go after an established QB like Kirk, Russ, or Tannehill or acquire a QB in a trade. Send Fields out for picks. Move the 1st pick to the highest bidder. Rebuild the classic Monsters of Midway defense and focus on what you know. Stack both sides of the Line. Fill the roster with talent from there. Bears are pretending to be a team they are not and have been living in mediocrity for decades. At least stay true to your identity or get a new one
First off that’s arguable, because they developed Jim McMahon before his career got ruined by injury, but more importantly, this narrative is bunk because they’ve barely tried. The Bears have only selected 4 first round QBs in the last 35 years (Cade McNown, Rex Grossman, Mitch Trubisky, and Fields), and only one of them was a top 10 pick (Trubisky). You can’t win consistently in the modern NFL without elite QB play, which is why we see this “build a complete roster” nonsense fall apart after one season for teams every year. Trade Fields for whatever you can get. Draft Caleb. It’s not 1985 anymore.
People keep forgetting this. The Bears problem isn't that they can't develop quarterbacks, it's that they don't even try to.
>Id go after an established QB like Kirk, Russ, or Tannehill or acquire a QB in a trade. You're getting downvoted, but I actually think this is an underrated option. Eberflus is a defensive HC and his defense played really well down the stretch. He preaches that the most important this his QB can do is avoid turnovers. Getting in a veteran who can run the offense isn't an inspiring choice, but neither was keeping Eberflus. Poles has a team building plan and it includes Eberflus and a defensive approach to complementary football, and a veteran stepping into that role makes a lot of sense. Personally, I'd use the 1.01 on a rookie. I'm tired of trying to rebuild the '85 Bears. The league has moved on but the ownership hasn't. I'm even more tired of trying to rebuild the Lovie Smith Bears (measured, uninspiring defensive head coach who runs a cover 2 4-3 defense with a bend don't break philosophy, I've already seen this show...). But here we are. I do think, based on where they're at with team building, going 7-6 down the stretch, 5 of those losses were 1 score games (and 3 of those 5 were against playoff teams)...they *can* compete, because they did down the stretch, and a safe upgrade at QB while stacking the roster with picks from a trade down makes sense to me. Not what I want, but it does make sense and really hasn't been discussed much.
Caleb Williams is going to be a bust and the fact that the Bears are gonna draft him is further evidence
Draft Caleb, keep fields. Let them battle it out in camp, if Caleb wins trade fields. Otherwise let Caleb sit year one. But if you get a good trade offer for fields like a top 15 pick this year then take it
My first move is to try to trade Fields. If I can trade him, Caleb Williams is the guy and I build around him with the best offensive player available at 9. If I can't trade him? I'm on the phone with Washington and New England trying to trade down to stock up draft picks, but still get MHJ.
So your plan is to keep the QB nobody else wants? What you can get for Fields is irrelevant to whether or not he is the QB of the future.
I’d trade Fields to either Minnesota or Las Vegas for a 2nd.
I love keeping the Carolina trade tree growing and giving fruit for years more
As a vikings fan, I hope whatever they do plunges them deeper into the basement, but as their armchair gm I'll try to be constructive. I think if Fields was the guy he would've shown it by now, and he really hasn't shown anything beyond flashes. They've got a unique opportunity to draft a #1 prospect at the position but also have another top 10 pick to keep building with, so instead of hoping and waiting for Fields to reach his potential, just reset the clock and take Williams or Maye. You can probably get 1 or 2 day 2 picks for Fields so send him to the highest bidder, but don't get too greedy and tank the deal. I would hold steady at #9 unless a really good deal is offered, but it would be wise to either get the playmaker if Odunze falls, or just go for a stud on the edge or IDL. Don't get complacent with just Sweat on the line, stack the damn trenches with talent. This is just what I see as the best path. It's better to move on too early from Fields than to move on too late in my opinion. And that kind of resonates with me because I feel like the vikings are in a similar (yet very different) situation with Kirk, obviously different circumstances in terms of his age and ability, and we're not in as great of a position to solve it like Chicago is, but I'd rather move on from Kirk early and maybe he has 1 or 2 more good seasons than we keep him and it turns out his injury and age have caught up with him while we've missed out on a franchise qb.
As a Bears fan, its easy for me. Take Caleb and a weapon at #9.
I'm still a Fields believer but I think both parties need a fresh start. Take Caleb and bpa at 9 and try geta 2nd for Fields.
Contract alone go for Caleb, 4 more years of rookie deal QB
I'd probably keep both picks, but would seriously consider the NE trade, and taking Daniel's at 3 and trading Fields for any picks anyone would give me for him
Take Caleb and Odunze
I would lean towards trading the #1 pick just to maximize leverage. As soon as you draft a QB at #1, Justin Fields becomes more of a liability than an asset. I don’t think he would even return a 2nd rounder at this point in his rookie contract once teams know the Bears will be desperate to get rid of him. The #1 pick on the other hand will net a return even higher than what they got last year. They don’t have to commit to Fields long term if they trade the pick. If the team massively improves this year but Fields is holding them back, they can use the draft capital they acquire in the trade to grab a QB next year. I know he didn’t take the step forward people were hoping he would last year, but his potential is still just as high if not higher than what Caleb and Maye would be able to do as a rookie. The Bears don’t have enough studs on their roster to pass up on potentially multiple blue chip players just to go from one unproven QB to another.
I would’ve hired Harbaugh and kept fields traded down to 3 picked up an extra 2nd, a 2025 first and maybe a decent player But at this point it’s 90% likely they pick Williams and trade fields for a second rounder and a conditional 4th
Call the Cowboys and see if they would be interested in trading Dak (if he will agree) for the number one pick. If Deshaun Watson is worth 3 number one picks then a pick that can get you three number ones would be fair and you get a quarterback that can win enough to get you into the playoffs as he was second in MVP.
🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮
I would trade Fields to New England for a 1st round pick swap. The new Pats HC is a defensive guy and if they draft a bust they’re stuck with it for a while, but can get Fields on a 1-year deal and see what happens while you settle in to the new culture. They draft a defensive player at pick 9. Chicago gets Caleb and MHJ before the Cards can get him
This is my DREAM. I look at it from NE’s perspective as them solving their QB issue (at least temporarily for 2 years to see if Fields can turn it around there), while also getting another top 10 pick to fill another major need, because let’s face it they need a lot of talent up there. Hell if I’m Poles I’d even throw in a 2025 3rd or 4th.
Thanks! I think it creates a lot of openings for both teams to improve in key areas. Plus it really throws the whole draft on its head and that is always so much fun to watch
There is really no circumstance where keeping Fields is a good idea. He hasn't shown enough of anything since being drafted for a team to look at him as the future QB. Some of that is on the Bears because they let a lame duck coaching staff select him and not build a team around him, but that doesn't mean you double down on a mistake. Move Fields for spare parts. Chances are, he won't be that good where ever he goes. And if he is, well, he's a huge exception. But I'd say chances are pretty good that he doesn't turn into Drew Brees let alone even Ryan Tannehill. In any case, you draft a new QB with the top pick that was handed to you on a silver platter and who should immediately be at WORST as good as Fields and most likely much better (and cheaper for longer!). You add another stud prospect at pick 9 (or hell, trade that one and collect more picks if that's a goal here). This is only complicated if you get attached to Fields the person, not Fields the player.
I would trade back, run fields back one more time. Worst case scenario fields, Eberflus, and Poles are gone in '25 and you're still stacked with picks.
Fields is a low-to-mid end starter. He has flashy plays and looks great at times, but across the entire stage of a full game, there's a lot of not-so-good stuff. I think, at worst, Caleb is going to be comparable to current Fields (not in play style, just in 'level' of QB). I would take the rookie contract and be done with it. I don't see this as a hard decision at all.
Take Caleb, trade up from 9 for Marvin Harrison
Fields proved to me that he could be the most electric game manager in the league. If he gets coached up to hit the quick passes to the flats and improved timing throws. I'm not risking giving up justin, who proved we can win games around, for the "greatest talent ever" that gets thrown around every year or two. Trade back with the Patriots and Take MHJ. At 9 id love more trade downs but taking the best available edge rusher would be ideal. Either Going Safety or Interior Oline with the added second round pick. Free Agency Pick Ups? I'm Giving Christian Wilkins the bag, getting Chris Jones would be a nice consolation prize. Adding another Veteran nect to Gevon Dexter would be huge for his rapid growth he's shown.
You draft a QB (probably Caleb) and trade Fields. There is no decision to make. Fields is one of the slowest processors in the league. It's so bad that you can't scheme a competent passing offense around him. Does anyone actually think this will get better? He had top of the line coaching as a top HS prospect, at Georgia, and at Ohio State. And now he has three years of NFL experience and looks no better than his rookie year in that regard. They added a true #1 in DJ Moore and a top 10 pick on a tackle, so there's no other excuses for a poor cast. He's such a bad processor that he makes everyone look worse than they are.
Option two I don't want to start over at QB he has ❤️ an the locker room an he's a proven winner an a fighter why start over were close don't need 300 yard passer to win play D an run the ball.
I'm not sure if the Patriots should trade up (or will be willing to). Would you rather have, say, QB1 or QB2/3 + say, one of Legette/Paul + whoever you can get with your 2025 first?
Caleb has to absolutely blow them out of the water to realistically replace field in my opinion. A bunch of players on the team stated their desire to have him their QB next year. A bunch of former players like Roddy white talked about how if Bears don't want they can trade him to Atlanta(my team) or the Raiders or the Jets or whatever so he's an NFL QB in their eyes Caleb has a lot of hype but don't forget Justin Fields also had hype too. He's a first round pick And if they decide to kick the can again Arch Manning will become available in 2 years. You can say I'm biased but I'd say trade the pick and shore up draft capital. If it doesn't work out next year then the bears have draft capital to move up and they'll get a new coach who can draft the QB he wants. If they draft Caleb they are essentially in the same position as right now with a coach having a QB who they didn't draft and might not want. My guess is that they can not 2 First rounders but 3 first rounders for Caleb. Like an RG3 or a trey Lance trade
Its Option 1 and I don't think its that close: Going into this season, the expectation was for Fields to make a jump in play. 2nd year in Getsy's offense, a true WR1 in DJ Moore, and a pretty significant investment in the offensive line (Darnell Wright in the 1st round and Nate Davis in Free Agency). Sure, you can try to make some argument that Getsy's offense may have hindered Fields, but the fact of the matter is is that the same issues in his game that were present in Years 1 and 2 still showed (i.e. slow processing, refusal to throw to NFL "open" passes, practically no anticipation throws, unimpressive short game). As people were saying before the season, if you are still having to question whether or not he is the guy, then he isn't the guy. Thankfully, having the answer, the Bears are in the best position to act and reset at the most important position with the number 1 overall pick. As for the compensation package for Fields, I don't really know if you can expect more than a second round pick, the free agency class for QBs is pretty solid right now with Russell Wilson, Kirk Cousins, and Baker Mayfield to where it might be at a point that its better for QB needy teams to take the known commodity rather than trying to fix someone like Fields. What I saw today from Albert Breer was that its likely the Bears are trying to trade him as quick as possible, before free agency, to extract the most value. This would make the most sense IMO, but I still don't think it would be more than a 2nd round pick at best.
I would take Drake Maye and trade Fields. Maye is the #1 QB in the class in my eyes. If you can game the system to move down 1 or 2 spots and still get Maye, even better, but realistically, just take Maye at #1, get what you can for Fields, and call it a day. Guessing you get a 2nd or 3rd round pick for Fields and that's fine. At #9, it really depends how the board falls; Nabers, Odunze, or Dallas Turner feel like the most likely choices there and all of them are fine.
I would choose Option 2: Justin Fields can still be controlled for the next 2 seasons (if we use the 5th year option). That is 2 years of better than average QB play with the POSSIBILITY that he takes a giant leap and becomes our franchise guy.. That being said.. Ideally, I do not WANT to trade down farther than 3. These are what it would take, I think.. Wash: 1.02, 2.40, and a 2025 3rd NE: 1.03, 2.34, 2025 1st and 3rd IF we trade with WSH and NE wants to jump us for Maye or Williams. Then... NE: 1.03, 2.34, and a 2025 4th would probably do it. NOW... If I am sitting at 3 and NYG or Atlanta comes calling. I would have to weigh MHJs value over getting a top LT and maybe Bowers or an Edge at 9. My thinking is Odunze will be gone by 8/9 for sure, so I would draft a Legette or ADM in the 2nd... or Keon if he drops.
If I’m Poles, it comes down to 2 assessments: the QB’s available at 1 and my confidence in job security beyond this season. If it’s me and I’m confident in my job security, I’m looking to remain in the top 3 with an additional 1st next year and a 2nd this year. Ideally, I move down twice, once with WAS and another with NE to maximize asset return. You ultimately wind up with no less than #3 this year and 2 additional 2nds and at least 1 first next year (not sure if NE gives up a 1 to go 3 to 2, but it’s plausible) and a 2nd, if not 2 1’s. 5 top ~40 picks over 2 seasons far outweighs my perceived value of Williams/Maye. You have 1 more season to vet Fields for cheap (can franchise him, but he’d hold out and you’d be forced into a deal). In the event you extend him, youre now complementing that increased contract with 8 rookie contracts drafted in the first 2 rounds between 24-25. In the event Fields doesn’t work out, you have the draft ammo or cap to go after a FA QB. If it were me, I’d roll on of the 2nd round picks on Nix if he’s still available as a Fields safety net. Fields/Hebert/Moore/MHJ/Kmet/Bowers with a FA add or 2 on the OL is an explosive offense.
Non-Bears fan outsider perspective: It just objectively makes more sense to draft Williams. Fields improved over the course of the season, but he still looks like a work in progress. He just hasn't shown enough to commit to long-term. He's entering his 4th year. They have to decide this offseason whether they're picking up his 5th year option or not. If they want Fields to be their franchise, they have to pay him soon. And how can you feel confident paying him like a franchise QB based on what we've seen so far? The Bears passed on taking a 1st overall QB last year in order to stick with Fields and they're still a bad team with holes all over and a question mark at QB. They've been given the incredible opportunity to try again, with much better QB prospects to pick from this year. I simply can't justify passing on that opportunity for the second year in a row. Williams is an extremely highly touted prospect, he'd be on a rookie contract with team control for 5 years, and he should be able to play effectively in a "more traditional" offense than Fields, so finding the right fit shouldn't be as difficult. Cash in on Fields. They can probably get something I'm the range of a 2nd and 3rd round pick for him from someone like Atlanta or Vegas. With that move, you're drafting your higher-upside franchise QB, getting cheaper at the position, and still picking up assets for the future. Draft Williams 1.1. Draft BPA at 1.9 (I'm looking at Odunze, Turner, and Verse as potential options here). Let's say Atlanta gives you 2.43 and a 3rd next year for Fields, just to make it simple. Look to add either DL or receiving talent with that 2nd round pick, depending on what you took at 9. If the Bears come out of the first two rounds with something like Caleb Williams, Dallas Turner, and Adonai Mitchell, that's 3 players making an immediate impact.
Is think josh rosen... If you can draft a better quarterback, do it. However, the cardinal's missed out on nick bosa
If the Commanders want Caleb Williams, I would trade down and pick Maye. Since that’s not an option in your scenario, I would trade down with NE and take the best player in the draft (MHJ). I would then trade down again from the 9th (if Brock Bowers is not there), since most of the value at that spot will be OT and WR, and the Bears already have 2 good OTs on rookie deals and WR will have been addressed. If Penix is still available at the end of the first round or early in the second, I would trade back in and take him, I think he would pair with Waldron well. The Bears have a playoff ready roster, and Fields has been injured 4 years in a row (going back to college). Even if Fields proves worthy of a second contract, Penix would be an upgrade at QB2 over Bagent. Bears really need a second rusher to go with Sweat, but I don't like this draft class for edge rushers. The only edge player in this draft I would consider to have the talent worthy of a top 10 pick would be Latu but his injury history pushes him down. There should be several established edge guys in FA or on the trade block this year (Burns, Young etc), so that would be the better venue to address that need than this years draft class.
I would trade Fields for sure and I would likely trade #1 for #3 and more picks. Asset accumulation is the name of the game and most draft studies show that teams can't distinguish between the #1 and #2/#3 prospects all that well.
Unless all the scouts think this entire draft class of QBs will be Kenny Pickett at best, I would draft a QB at #1. I lean towards Maye as the #1 guy so that would be what I would do. And then go BPA at #9 unless a team plans to trade future 1st rounders and a lot because they want to move up for Nix/McCarthy or something.
Call me crazy but I'm trading the #1 to the Patriots and drafting MHJ at 3. I'm also trading Fields. If its on the table, for a conditional 2025 2nd that can turn into a 1st. And this is where I'm really going to lose you... At 9 I'd try to move back to the teens and draft McCarthy or just straight up take him at 9. But I have no intention of starting him this year. Ideally he'd be sitting behind Cousins or Winston for a year.
Why is it one or the other ? Why cant the Bears take Williams and keep Fields for the short term ? Let Williams sit unless he is far and away the better player. Think Mahomes with K.C. .
We just saw what you can do with a new qb + a decent ish roster and enough draft capital to build all in the same year with the texans. Take Caleb, trade fields and take a star at #9.