Super Bowl champion says Patriots would be 'reckless' to trade for QB Justin Fields

Former New England Patriots linebacker and three-time Super Bowl Champion turned analyst Matt Chatham doesn't believe trading for a quarterback like Chicago Bears' Justin Fields would be a wise use of the franchise's assets. 

Recently, the idea that the Patriots could use picks to trade for Fields while also selecting stud wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. at No. 3 is gaining steam. However, Chatham took to social media to call the plan "a bit reckless." 

"If you're wrong, you'll at best be a team with a target stud like, say, Justin Jefferson, but still searching for somebody to reliably get him the ball. And the next time you're looking, you're likely not in as good of a position to do so," Chatham said on X. "Today's NFL seems pretty straightforward to me. Do whatever you must to nail QB, don't go luxury shopping until you do." 

Fields' skillset is undeniable, but he's yet to emerge as a franchise-type guy over three seasons with the Bears. Whether the former first-round pick or the team is more to blame for his failures is debatable. However, the numbers tell the story of a QB who's had plenty of time to show what kind of player he is. 

Since 2021, Fields' rookie year, 17 QBs have started 38 or more games. Among them, Fields has by far the worst record (10-28), while his statistics fall short of a bonafide starter in the league, ranking last in passing yards (6,674), completion percentage (60.3), passing touchdowns (40) and passer rating (82.3), per Stathead. 

Whichever team takes a chance on Fields, whether it be the Patriots or someone else, will have to pay a hefty price. 

According to ESPN, the Bears could nab second and fourth-round picks in the 2024 draft in exchange for Fields. Meanwhile, Adam Jahns of The Athletic recently warned that the team that acquires Fields would not only have to trade away assets to get him but would likely have to pick up his fifth-year option for 2025, estimated to be worth $23.3M.