Could Bears keep Justin Fields and draft a QB?
If the Chicago Bears take a quarterback with the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, it wouldn't be surprising if they traded Justin Fields. However, there is a slight chance they'll retain the 24-year-old.
"The idea of keeping Justin Fields in Chicago, even if the Bears drafted a quarterback with the first pick (which ESPN's Adam Schefter suggested Sunday), is an intriguing idea that the team has discussed," Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer wrote. "It's doable, too, because Fields is only due $3.2 million in cash for 2024, a number that's manageable even for a backup at the position, relative to the market."
Fields would give Chicago an above-average backup. In 13 games, he completed 61.4 percent of his passes for 16 TDs and rushed for 657 yards on 124 carries. If the Bears rookie QB needed time to develop, the former first-round pick could start a few games.
Drafting a rookie and keeping Fields could create an odd situation, though.
Several teams, such as the Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers, need a viable starting quarterback and would be interested in someone with some untapped potential.
On a Tuesday episode of "The Pat McAfee Show," Schefter mentioned Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is a "big fan of Fields."
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Courtney Cronin reported Fields "would be worth a second- or a third-round pick in a pre-draft trade."
Meanwhile, Tanakthon has the Bears taking Southern Cal's Caleb Williams. NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah rated him as his No. 1 prospect, noting, "he has franchise-altering upside."
Assuming the Bears take Williams, giving Fields a fresh start and acquiring more picks to build around the 2022 Heisman winner seems smart.
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