NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Chicago Bears are just riding a wave. While wins will not be plentiful this season, it’s what the offseason will bring that will make a difference. There’s a good chance, thanks to the Carolina Panthers, that the Bears will have at least two of the top 3-5 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. And with that, their future is in good hands, as long as they don’t mess things up.
Moving on from Justin Fields is still an option. His big jump in Year 3 has not gone as planned. He’s not the QB many in the Bears organization and outside figured he would be. Despite this current injury, Fields was not lighting it up this year. However, in Week 4 he passed for 335 yards and 4TD, and in Week 5, he passed for 234 yards and 4TDs. He was making progress, but are the Bears willing to bet the house on him, again? Let’s say they do, and with 2 high draft picks, they can snag some help along the O-Line for protection and then hopefully snag Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
With DJ Moore soundly as their top threat, adding Harrison would give Fields two playmakers and hopefully help him become a better passer. That’s his biggest knock, he’s still using his legs to prove that he’s a viable QB much like Lamar Jackson does for the Baltimore Ravens and Kyler Murray was doing for the Arizona Cardinals. But the Bears want to see more.
If they decide to go another route, the Chicago Bears have options. They can trade Fields and get back picks. Maybe get another first-rounder and then, the real fun begins. What will they do with all that draft capital? Caleb Williams comes to mind. He’s pro-ready and could turn the Chicago Bears into contenders if he receives the help they were going to give Fields this coming draft. The same can be said for Bo Nix. While running is a great attribute to have, Fields has yet to morph into the Jalen Hurts mold of a mobile QB who can do both.
Should The Chicago Bears Trade Justin Fields
No matter what happens this season, the Chicago Bears are looking ahead. The more the Panthers lose, the tougher the decision will be for the Bears organization. Keep Fields or draft his replacement? Either way, there will still be a steep hill to climb. If and when Fields makes it back on the field this season, in the back of his mind and for the Bears brass has to be productvity and safety.
Fields must produce. While there will still be a market for him somewhere, his options may be small if he continues to show no signs of growth. If he does shine, either the Bears or someone else will come calling. But being safe is the key for all parties. Fields being out now does no one any good. Teams are not in the market of trading for broken QBs.
Yes, for all the Bears fans out there, this season will be another hard pill to swallow. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe Fields just needs a new scheme and better players around him. Or maybe this scheme and players just need another QB around them. Either way, the 2024 offseason will be all-important for the Chicago Bears and Justin Fields.
