Five destinations for Bears QB Justin Fields in 2024

What will the Chicago Bears do with quarterback Justin Fields, who has a 7-26 record as a starter since being drafted 11th overall in 2021? The Bears will drive plenty of 2024 NFL Draft debates, with Chicago (4-8) likely having two of the draft's top selections, putting it in position to draft a replacement for Fields if the organization is ready to move on. 

Fields has a cap number of slightly more than $6 million in 2024, per Spotrac. These five teams stand out as his most likely destinations in 2024.

5. Chicago Bears

With tantalizing prospects like Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and Georgia tight end Brock Bowers draft-eligible, the Bears might add two outstanding playmakers and use free agency to improve their offensive line. An offense with Fields, Harrison Jr., Bowers and wide receiver D.J. Moore, with the right coaching, could be devastating. 

However, no one would fault Chicago for moving on from Fields and drafting quarterback Caleb Williams (Southern Cal) or Drake Maye (North Carolina), along with either a top playmaker or an offensive lineman, such as Penn State's Olu Fashanu or Notre Dame's Joe Alt. Fields probably needs a change of scenery to thrive, but we still can't rule out the Bears adding talent around him.

4. Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders sit outside the top 10 of the NFL Draft through Week 12, so to upgrade at quarterback, the organization must add one via trade or free agency. Minnesota's Kirk Cousins, who's sidelined for the remainder of the season with an Achilles injury, could be an option. Fields, however, would be cheaper, and that's important if the team retains wide receiver Davante Adams and works out a long-term deal with running back Josh Jacobs.

3. Seattle Seahawks

Seattle has a brutal upcoming schedule with games against the Cowboys, 49ers and Eagles in consecutive weeks. If the Seahawks fall out of playoff contention, could they move on from quarterback Geno Smith? The organization would only incur a dead-money hit of $8.7 million in 2024 compared to $22.5 million in savings if it designated Smith as a post-June 1 cut, making it possible. Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron coaxed Smith's excellent 2022 season out of him and could work the same magic with Fields.

2. San Francisco 49ers

Enrolling in head coach Kyle Shanahan's quarterback academy would arguably be his best move if Fields is not in line for a starting role after this season. Fields would upgrade the 49ers at backup behind Brock Purdy and give Shanahan a mobile threat if he wanted to sprinkle in offensive packages designed for the dual-threat quarterback.

1. Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta is well-positioned to run the NFC South for the foreseeable future with its talented young playmakers and rising defense. All it needs is a quarterback, and Fields — a Georgia native — could be the answer. The Falcons would have one of the league's strongest rushing offenses if they paired running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier with the Fields.

Fields' excellent 134.1 passer rating on deep passes trails only Purdy and C.J. Stroud among quarterbacks with at least 100 dropbacks. He could also unlock another dimension of Atlanta's offense with wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts.