Though nothing has been officially announced, the Chicago Bears are expected to keep the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and trade quarterback Justin Fields.
The 24-year-old signal-caller is expected to have a share of suitors, and according to USA Today, three teams have already “expressed some level of interest” in Fields: the Atlanta Falcons, Las Vegas Raiders, and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles has played the situation close to the vest thus far. He suggested that Fields’ input in where he lands will be considered, insinuating that he doesn’t want to ship the Ohio State alum off to the highest bidder.
“It just depends on what opportunities pop up,” Poles said via ESPN. “…If we go down that road, I want to do right by Justin as well. No one wants to live in gray — I know that’s uncomfortable. I wouldn’t want to be in that situation either. So, we will gather the information, we will move as quickly as possible, [but] we are not going to be in a rush — and see what presents itself and what’s best for the organization.”
Per NBC Sports Chicago, the Falcons have done more than just express interest, going as far as to check in with the Bears about Fields’ availability. Atlanta, which has Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke under contract for 2024, is expected to upgrade its quarterback position this offseason. Neither signal caller did much in 2023 to prove they deserve the starting job in 2024.
The Steelers seem committed to giving Kenny Pickett another shot to lockdown their QB1 job, but head coach Mike Tomlin also admitted in January that Pickett “will be challenged from a competition perspective.” Adding Fields would give Pittsburgh a quarterback competition between two former first-round picks with something to prove.
Jimmy Garoppolo is out in Vegas, and though he performed admirably as a rookie, Aidan O’Connell probably isn’t a starting NFL QB. The Raiders would be a strong landing spot for Fields, who would have an excellent supporting cast that includes receivers Davante Adams, Jakobi Myers and Hunter Renfrow, tight end Michael Mayer and possibly running back Josh Jacobs.
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