The Chicago Bears have the first-overall decide within the 2024 NFL Draft, and it’s wanting an increasing number of possible that quarterback would be the choice.
USC quarterback Caleb Williams may certainly be the subsequent quarterback in Chicago, which would depart quarterback Justin Fields doubtlessly on the lookout for a brand new residence.
Fields has been inconsistent in his three years as Chicago’s starter, flashing moments of brilliance and frustration. Nonetheless, he began to search out a way more constant frequency into his third season and will proceed to construct on that with a brand new workforce.
NFL Community’s Ian Rapoport shared over the weekend that Chicago would want “historic compensation” to commerce the highest decide, which provides much more gas that Fields might be on the transfer this offseason.
Whereas it’s at all times doable the Bears may preserve Fields even when they do draft one other quarterback, essentially the most smart final result proper now are that he performs elsewhere in 2024.
The Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers have been linked to Fields as of late, so we’ve included them in our 5 groups that might commerce for the quarterback.
Let’s check out these groups and three extra that might make sense for the 2021 first-round decide.
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The Falcons are essentially the most logical match on this checklist, because the workforce desperately wants a quarterback and doesn’t have a high-enough decide on this 12 months’s draft to seize one of many high guys obtainable.
Fields is from Kennesaw, Georgia, and will return residence to play for the Falcons, a franchise that might absolutely welcome him with open arms after passing on him within the 2021 NFL Draft.
It’d be a superb set-up, too, as Fields would have a powerful offensive arsenal and really sound offensive line at his disposal. New offensive coordinator Zac Robinson additionally labored with quarterbacks throughout his time with the Los Angeles Rams.
Raheem Morris on Zac Robinson’s work creating QBs:
“His means to connect with the quarterback, to narrate to the quarterback … I assumed stood out working with him.
“Watching his work with the quarterbacks with the Rams has been excellent.”
— Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) February 5, 2024
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The Steelers spent a 2022 first-round decide on quarterback Kenny Pickett, however that doesn’t imply they gained’t attempt to improve the place this offseason.
Buying and selling for Fields might be the important thing to igniting this Steelers offense, even when new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith handed on Fields when he was the coach of the Falcons in 2021.
Smith’s run-heavy offense may match properly with Fields’ harmful dashing means, and he may assist Pittsburgh set itself up higher within the AFC North immediately if the Steelers traded for him.
Having George Pickens and Diontae Johnson at extensive receiver would give Fields the very best receiving tandem of his profession, too.
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The Raiders are unlikely to stay with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo subsequent fall, and quarterback Aidan O’Connell remains to be fairly unproven after beginning a handful of video games in his rookie season.
Fields might be a respectable increase for first-year full-time head coach Antonio Pierce, and the quarterback may reunite together with his former Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, who simply took the identical position in Vegas.
Fields carried out admirably in Getsy’s system down the stretch final season, so perhaps the 2 may decide up the place they left off?
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Quarterback Russell Wilson’s time with the Broncos feels restricted, and we may see coach Sean Payton eager to take an opportunity on Fields to be Denver’s subsequent franchise quarterback.
Fields may instantly step in because the starter and work with one of many brighter offensive minds of his technology, and the Broncos do have numerous expertise on offense to assist the quarterback out as he will get acclimated.
Successful within the AFC West is a tricky proposition, however Fields may give Payton his finest likelihood but at making waves if all goes proper.
AP Picture/Stew Milne, File
New coach Jerod Mayo and the New England entrance workplace could have their eyes on one in all this 12 months’s quarterbacks with the third-overall decide, however it’s additionally doable the workforce needs to take one other place or commerce down in the event that they’re not fully bought on one participant.
Buying and selling for Fields might be a pleasant technique to get round drafting a quarterback excessive and nonetheless buying a superb starter for 2024 and perhaps past.
The Patriots are in rebuild mode, however perhaps having somebody like Fields may velocity up the method together with his playmaking talents.
