Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles did not tip his hand on Tuesday when speaking with reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
While Poles did not have a declaration for what the Bears are doing at the quarterback position, the wording he used to describe "doing right by Justin" has continued the speculation that the team will be trading Fields at some point before the start of free agency next month.
The Bears will meet with Caleb Williams on Wednesday, which may be the final hurdle before the team pulls the trigger on a trade of Fields. To that end, on the first day of the Scouting Combine, a team emerged as a potential suitor for Fields.
Josh Schrock of NBC Sports Chicago reports that the Atlanta Falcons have checked in on Fields this off-season, and conversations are expected to continue this week with the Bears. Schrock goes as far as to name the Falcons as the "clear frontrunner" for Fields.
The Atlanta Falcons continue to look like the best suitor for Chicago Bears' quarterback Justin Fields
Fields becomes the likely connection since first-year Falcons head coach Raheem Morris emphasized on Tuesday that the Falcons are looking for the best fit at quarterback for their city. Atlanta is Fields' hometown and was the team he discussed in detail last week while being interviewed on the St. Brown brothers' podcast.
Deductive reasoning has also pointed toward the Falcons as being the suitor for Fields. The Pittsburgh Steelers appear to be interested in continuing the development of Kenny Pickett as their starting quarterback, while both the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots are in a position to each draft one of Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, or Jayden Daniels.
For a Falcons team that has offensive playmakers and a defense ready to sit at the top of the NFC South division, Fields could step in at quarterback and immediately embark on the first playoff run of his career.