The Chicago Bears are widely expected to trade quarterback Justin Fields this offseason, but their options are becoming slimmer and slimmer as time passes.
A couple of the top potential destinations for Fields—the Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Falcons—have already signed starting quarterbacks in free agency, with the Steelers adding Russell Wilson and the Falcons agreeing to a deal with Kirk Cousins. Plus, the New England Patriots inked Jacoby Brissett and will probably be taking a signal-caller with the No. 3 overall pick.
This has significantly shrunk the field for the Bears, and it has reached a point where Fields may have to accept a backup role somewhere. That means his trade value has plummeted, and Chicago may have to settle for scraps.
Initially, it looked like Fields would be worth at least a third-round draft pick, but now, even that may be too high of a price for the Bears to fetch.
Here are some of the top landing spots remaining for Fields.
5. Seattle Seahawks
This is probably the biggest long shot on this list, but it’s worth considering.
New Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald recently made it fairly obvious that he is not committed to Geno Smith as the starter moving forward, and let’s remember that there were rumors that Seattle could cut Smith heading into the offseason.
Smith is remaining on the roster with two years remaining on his deal, but he is 33 years old and showed clear signs of regression in 2023. Not that was he was bad this past season, but he certainly was not as impressive as he was the year prior.
The Seahawks are surely thinking about Smith’s replacement.
Seattle doesn’t pick until 16th in the NFL Draft next month, so it’s not like it will have a shot at one of the top quarterback prospects (barring a trade). It could try and roll with someone like Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix, and that is probably a more likely outcome than trading for Fields.
But perhaps the Seahawks see something in Fields and are willing to bank on the potential he showed this past year?
4. New York Jets
Obviously, Aaron Rodgers is the quarterback for the Jets for the foreseeable future. But he is 40 years old, and regardless of the fact that he said he may want to play four more years, his body might not allow him to.
New York does have to start thinking long term, even if it is trying to win a Super Bowl now.
The Jets own the 10th overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, but they will almost surely be using that draft choice to add a piece to help them in 2024. They won’t be taking a quarterback there.
Perhaps it would be easier for New York to deal a mid-round pick to Chicago for Fields?
Fields could learn under Rodgers for the next couple of years and then eventually take over as the Jets’ starting signal-caller.
Of course, Gang Green does not exactly have the best track record with young quarterbacks, so that may not be the ideal scenario for Fields individually, but it’s something the Jets could weigh.
3. Los Angeles Rams
This one is really interesting.
Rams head coach Sean McVay is known as a quarterback whisperer, so maybe he can get the most out of Fields?
Matthew Stafford is now 36 years old and seems to be getting closer and closer to retirement, especially with his injuries in recent years. Plus, even when healthy, he is clearly on the decline.
Fields could step in as Stafford’s backup for 2024 (and maybe 2025) and learn from both him and McVay. It would be a great situation for Fields if he has to take a reserve job somewhere.
Los Angeles drafts pretty well, so Fields could trust the franchise to surround him with appropriate weapons (like Puka Nacua, for example).
It’s somewhat surprising that we haven’t heard of any interest from the Rams just yet, but that may be coming with Fields’ list of potential suitors dwindling.
2. Denver Broncos
Gone is Russell Wilson, and in is a new and foggy era for the Broncos.
Denver has no clue what it is doing under center right now, and given that it picks 12th in the draft next month, the vision is definitely unclear.
The Broncos could try and trade up, but it seems hard to imagine they will be able to land someone like Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels even if they do that. More than likely, they’ll have to settle for Penix Jr. or Nix. There is a chance they can trade up for J.J. McCarthy, but even that seems relatively dubious.
So, why not swing a deal for Fields?
Admittedly, the Broncos don’t exactly have the best weapons at their disposal right now, so they would have to add some pieces. But that’s what they could use the draft for.
Fields is just 25 years old, so as long as Sean Payton is willing to be patient, he could grow in Denver in a system that could possibly do a better job of utilizing him.
1. Minnesota Vikings
That brings us to the best possible destination on this list.
Obviously, the Vikings came with a major caveat: they play in the NFC North, and it’s debatable as to whether or not the Bears would want to trade Fields to a division rival.
But if Minnesota comes up with the best offer, Chicago may be left with no choice.
The Vikings already have receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison in tow, so Fields would have no shortage of weapons upon arriving.
Minnesota would also have a chance of contending for a playoff spot if Fields plays well, so that is also a pro on Fields’ side of the equation.
The Vikings just lost Cousins to the Falcons, so they are going to be in the hunt for a quarterback. Would they be interested in Fields? Who knows, but the match makes a ton of sense.
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