The case for a third of the NFL to trade for Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields
By Peter Jurich
Chicago Bears trade Partners that need a starting quarterback
The most obvious trade destination for a starting quarterback like Fields would be a team that could use a starting quarterback. With free agency yet to begin, it is difficult to predict these landing spots with complete accuracy, but there are a handful of teams who could use Fields' services in 2024 and beyond.
The first such group includes the Atlanta Falcons, the Las Vegas Raiders, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. For these three teams, Fields would walk in and likely start over any other quarterback, and would immediately provide a lift to the offense. These teams are also linked by their first-round draft positioning, which is represented by the eighth, 13th, and 20th picks, respectively.
These three teams may look to trade up to acquire a top quarterback prospect in this year's class, but such a trade may not materialize. Other teams with such immediate quarterback questions are simply in a better place draft order-wise to pick up a rookie quarterback, so trading for a player like Fields may make the most sense in these cases.
The key difference for these three teams would be the expected draft compensation coming back in return for Fields. For Atlanta and Las Vegas, the package would likely be something built around a high day-two pick, while Pittsburgh could potentially offer their first overall pick if the Bears can sweeten the pot.
Additionally, the New England Patriots pose an interesting match for Justin Fields' talents. The Patriots, who possess the third overall pick, are perhaps just as quarterback-needy as any other franchise, but they are in a bad spot to find a quality rookie option this season. Assuming the Bears and the Washington Commanders (second overall pick) both select quarterbacks, the Patriots will be left with their second or even third option, an unsavory situation for such an important position.
Perhaps for the Patriots, it could make sense to trade a day-two pick in a package for Fields while maintaining the third overall selection, which would allow them to turn around and add Marvin Harrison Jr or Malik Nabers to a depleted New England skill position group. On the other hand, the Bears could offer Fields in a trade to move up from the ninth overall pick to the third overall selection. This would allow the Patriots to accumulate more capital in the future while staying near the top of this year's draft with the Bears simultaneously adding a top receiver prospect for whatever player they select first overall.
Regardless of any hypothetical trade package, these four teams provide realistic opportunities to join the team as the undisputed day-one starter, something that would be considered "doing right by Fields" as Poles stated Tuesday morning.