When the Chicago Bears clinched the coveted #1 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, speculation swirled that it marked the end of Justin Fields’ tenure in the Windy City.
Chicago is expected to draft USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the top pick and effectively turn the page to a brand-new era in Bears football.
Caleb Williams has big dreams after studying MJ and Sweetness. pic.twitter.com/IuDAFlSCx5
— CHGO Bears (@CHGO_Bears) February 28, 2024
Most people thought Chicago would end up trading Fields to a quarterback-needy team. Maybe Atlanta. Maybe Pittsburgh. Maybe New England … Any team that’s looking for a capable quarterback with potential and a chip on his shoulder.
Fileds would seemingly fit that bill, especially since the Bears have no more use for him – assuming they do draft Williams or another quarterback such as Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels with the top pick.
BREAKING: Per source, Chicago #Bears QB Justin Fields is going to be traded to the Atlanta Falcons ahead of the 2024 #NFLDraft.
Sources confirm that “the deal is done” and that Fields is “excited for an opportunity to be a part of a talented offense for the first time.”#NFL pic.twitter.com/dbc7NSPD0L
— CJ Golson (@CJGolson) February 28, 2024
General manager Ryan Poles has openly spoke about the possibility of trading Fields.
He even made a comment that he wants to “do right” by Fields, hinting that he preferably wants to trade Fields to a team where he can succeed.
Bears’ GM Ryan Poles said today that, if the team decides to draft a QB with the No. 1 overall pick, he doesn’t think it would be right not to trade Justin Fields before free agency begins. pic.twitter.com/0TkSSpZzoW
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 27, 2024
However, the market for Fields isn’t nearly as strong as expected.
According to longtime NFL Executive Mike Lombardi, there aren’t a whole lot of believers in Fields across the league.
“I talked to a lot of people at the Combine and I couldn’t find a team (that’s interested). If I were Philly, I would trade for him. Because I think if you put him behind [Jalen] Hurts and run the six-back offense with him, he might go in there and play good,” Lombardi said on “The GM Shuffle” podcast.
I can't find a team with interest in Justin Fields. There's a good chance he'll be a backup or in a QB competition.
The Eagles make sense – backing up Jalen Hurts in an offense that fits his skill set.
Check out The GM Shuffle on @DKNetwork at https://t.co/b4sYN4CC91 pic.twitter.com/L64IwY9IG7
— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) March 8, 2024
Justin Fields in the Taysom Hill role next year because literally nobody wants to trade for him pic.twitter.com/esipPHJU11
— 🐻 (@CutlerToForte) March 5, 2024
Denver-based NFL insider Benjamin Allbright echoed Lombardi’s report by reiterating his belief that Fields isn’t viewed as a starter in league circles.
“I tried to talk about this a while back, but got shouted down by his fan club,” Allbright tweeted on X. “He’s likely to be a backup somewhere else this year. QB competition at best.”
I tried to talk about this a while back, but got shouted down by his fan club.
He's likely to be a backup somewhere else this year. QB competition at best. https://t.co/0BGLuCUaDl
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) March 7, 2024
Fields is one of the most polarizing players in the NFL.
While he has struggled mightily throughout his career and has shown very little improvement from year-to-year, he still has supporters sprinkled across the league.
Having said that, no one can honestly say that he’s a sure-fire franchise quarterback.
No matter how optimistic you are, his accuracy issues and inability to consistency read defenses are problems that have shown no signs of going away.
Perhaps he is indeed destined to be a career backup in the league.
Justin Fields has Mooney WIDE OPEN… pic.twitter.com/RERq0pB6GF
— Bears Truther (@CalebToVelus) March 7, 2024
With (reportedly) very little interest in Fields, Poles wouldn’t want to just give him away for pennies on the dollar.
Is there a chance he stays in Chicago?
“There are people within the organization that would like to see him stay…” @AdamSchefter on Justin Fields 😳
Justin Fields is staying 🐻⬇️ pic.twitter.com/De2jIgeeAY
— Justin Fields Fan Club (@JustinFieldsFC) March 7, 2024
Sike!! We running that shi back!
We gon have weapons finally, I give you you’re 2024 QB1 Justin Fields 😤 pic.twitter.com/Y1SWI6EE1s
— WindyChiCity (@WindyChiCity) March 2, 2024
Jaylon Johnson said getting rid of Justin Fields would be the “easy way out” and wouldn’t “make the coaches take accountability.” Strong words from @NBAxJay1 👀 pic.twitter.com/fyHVbjDFn3
— Justin Fields Fan Club (@JustinFieldsFC) March 7, 2024
What are your thoughts on Fields?
Do you believe the reports that there are no teams truly interested in him being their starter?
Where will he end up?
Take out your crystal ball for a second … How will the rest of his career shake out???