The Chicago Bears seem to have a serious Justin Fields issue just two days into free agency.
Many NFL teams have already made changes at quarterback, leaving few options for a trade for the Bears starting quarterback.
However, there are still a couple of options for Chicago if they are willing to accept a lower trade return for the former No. 11 overall pick. Ari Meirov of 33rd Team explained the situation on Tuesday, March 12. “Many people thought [the Bears] could probably get a second-round pick for [Fields]. But here we are, after a day of free agency and so many moves, [and] it is starting to become really hard to figure out where is a Justin Fields’ destination,” Meirov said. “The
[Denver] Broncos — it does not sound like they have much interest. Maybe if the price goes down. We’ll see about that. Then the one team that people have thought maybe could make sense is the Seattle Seahawks , but up until now it doesn’t feel like they’ve had serious interest.Bears Must ‘Get Creative’ to Secure Adequate Trade Return for Justin Fields
Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields.
GettyAdding to the Bears’ problems in finding a market for Fields is the talent of the 2024 rookie QB class, which could see up to six members drafted before the end of round one. The most likely of the group to do so is USC quarterback
Caleb Williams , who most analysts believe the Bears will select with the first overall pick.Denver picks at No. 12 and Seattle picks at No. 16,
per Tankathon , which could make it difficult for either franchise to move up into a position to get one of the top five signal-callers. Three quarterbacks could easily go in the top three picks, with theWashington Commanders picking at No. 2 and the New England Patriots picking third. Minnesota Vikings
The Las Vegas Raiders and the seem to be out of the running for Fields, as they signed Gardner Minshew Sam Darnold and , respectively, on Monday. However, those signings won’t rule out either team from drafting a rookie QB.In fact, the players both teams acquired in free agency and the contracts they offered indicate that the Vikings (pick No. 11) and the Raiders (No. 13) are likely to draft quarterbacks in the first round.
Given those circumstances, the Bears may be able to involve the Seahawks in discussions for Fields, though probably not at second-round value for a trade return.
“Could Chicago perhaps get a little bit creative?” Meirov said. “They wanted a second-round pick. Maybe they’ll have to settle for a fourth-round pick, but put some conditions on [that] pick — like it becomes a third if he plays a specific amount of snaps, [or] it becomes a second if [the team] makes the playoffs.”
Bears Might Keep Justin Fields on Roster Well Into Summer
Quarterback Justin Fields of the Chicago Bears.
GettyAnother scenario, perhaps even more likely than the Bears getting creative to attract a suitor with a mid-level offer now, is that Fields remains on the roster into the summer.
Meirov gave examples of how the
Cleveland Browns Baker Mayfield held onto for a few months after getting Deshaun Watson in March 2022, or how the San Francisco 49er s ended up keepingJimmy Garoppolo as a backup option behind that same offseason. Trey Lance “The point is, if teams don’t get the value they want, they are sometimes okay leaving [the player in question] on the roster, and it makes it a little bit awkward,” Meirov said. “Could that possibly happen here with Justin Fields?”
Part of the problem in dealing Fields is where he is at in his contract. The QB will play the fourth and final year of his
$18.9 rookie deal in 2024. However, whoever holds the rights to Fields’ contract in early May must decide whether to exercise a fifth-year team option worth $25.7 million for the 2025 campaign. That choice represents a significant risk that teams will try to avoid if possible. However, depending on the way the draft plays out and/or what injuries occur during training camp, a serious suitor for Fields could emerge somewhere between May and July.
One thing is certain — the Bears won’t rush to make a deal in the coming days if they can’t find the value they want, which means the Fields saga in Chicago could persist through the dog days of summer — or even beyond.
The Chicago Bears appear to have a full-blown Justin Fields crisis on their hands just two days into free agency.
