With the Chicago Bears having the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Justin Fields has frequently come up in NFL trade rumors as the organization seems poised to draft QB Caleb Williams. While a trade is expected to happen, one NFL insider believes Fields will find a new home sooner than later.
When Could Chicago Bears Trade Justin Fields?
Sports Illustrated NFL Insider Albert Breer told David Kaplan on ESPN 1000 in Chicago that the Bears trading Fields could happen quickly. Breer said, “I think the bones of the trade will be set next week … There’s some urgency on the Bears’ part to get something done.”
The significance of next week is when the NFL is holding the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Each team will send several key decision-makers to scout the players, facilitating trade discussions on the side.
The first round of the NFL Draft is on April 25. If the Bears traded Fields, they would likely draft Williams with the first overall pick.
Why Would Bears Trade Fields?
Chicago drafted Fields with the 11th overall pick in 2021 to solidify the quarterback position. Fields made his first start in Week 3 of his rookie year after playing parts of the first two games. It was a rough debut, as the former Ohio State quarterback completed six of 20 passes for 68 yards while being sacked nine times for a loss of 67 yards.
Fields finished his rookie season with a 58.9% completion rate, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in 12 games. Chicago lost eight of the 10 games he started.
In his second season, Fields threw 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while more than doubling his rush yards per game to 76.2. He was sacked an NFL-high 55 times in 15 games.
Fields averaged 213.5 pass yards and 31 rush yards in the team’s first two games of the 2023 season. He was critical of the team’s coaching staff when talking to reporters a few days after the Week 2 loss.
Fields said, “I wasn’t necessarily playing my game. I felt like I was kind of robotic. Not playing like myself. My goal this week is just to say ‘F it’ and just go out there and play football. I know how to play football. That includes thinking less and just going out there and playing off of instincts rather than so to say info and data in my head.”
Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said he met with Fields to discuss the comments and he encouraged the quarterback to follow his instincts.
MORE: Terry Bradshaw Says Trading for Justin Fields Would Be a “Huge Mistake” for the Steelers
In 2023, Fields started in 13 games and missed four because of a dislocated thumb. He finished the season averaging 197.1 pass yards per game and 50.5 rush yards per game.
The Bears are 10-28 in three seasons with Fields as a starter and 6-7 when someone else is starting at quarterback.
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