Bears Rumors: Ranking Justin Fields trade destinations by best possible return

This is the song that never ends.

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields is probably doing his best to keep cool and shed the anxiety, but there has to be a part of him that just wants to know.

Is he going to be traded? Is he the future in Chicago? Can we make a decision already?

If the Bears indeed plan on drafting Caleb Williams no. 1 overall, Fields is going to have a new home for 2024. So, which destinations are the most logical, and what could the Bears expect to get back in return?

Where should the Bears trade Justin Fields if they end up coming to that decision?

First of all, let's assume that a couple of teams are out of the conversation. The Washington Commanders own the no. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and while they are a quarterback-needy team, we're going to see them draft one of the top two passers available.

Secondly, the Minnesota Vikings may end up needing a quarterback if they cannot come to an agreement with Kirk Cousins. Minnesota reportedly doesn't want Cousins back on a multi-year deal, but Cousins would prefer not to play on a 1-year contract.

The problem is obvious, though. Chicago is not going to trade Fields to a division rival. Yes, the Vikings and Lions completed a big trade involving T.J. Hockenson a season ago, but the quarterback position is a much different beast.

Now, with the Commanders and Vikings out of the picture, there are five teams that seem like the most logical destinations. Let's dive in, ranking possible returns from worst to best.

5. Denver Broncos

Best possible return: Combination of a 2025 second-round pick or 2024 third-round pick and WR Courtland Sutton

The Denver Broncos are likely going to move on from Russell Wilson this offseason. It isn't a matter of "if," but "when" they do so. Wilson isn't going to cut it beneath head coach Sean Payton, and the head coach has all but guaranteed this relationship is going to end.

If the Broncos want to try and draft a quarterback from their current position at no. 12 overall, they will surely miss out on Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels. They might also miss out on Michael Penix Jr.

So, keeping that no. 12 pick and using it on another position of need while making a trade for Fields could be in their best interest. The problem is, Denver doesn't have a second rounder this year. So, they'd have to trade a 2025 second-round pick in a deal for Fields, if we think he's going to go for a pick around that spot.

The Broncos may also want to cut ties with someone like Courtland Sutton in order to save some money and get themselves back beneath the cap. If the Bears could get Sutton and either a second or third-round pick, that seems like good value.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers

Best possible return: No. 51 pick in 2024 NFL Draft

The Steelers have both Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph in their building, but neither one of them has proven to be able to last under center. Pickett was benched late last season for Rudolph, who has been around since 2018, now.

There have been some rumors, even dating back to a couple of months ago, around the idea of Fields going to Pittsburgh and playing under Mike Tomlin. Pittsburgh has never had a losing record under Tomlin, and they're always going to be a gritty, defensive team. On the surface, they look like a team that's ready to win right now.

Throw Fields in there, maybe they become closer to a contender.

The best Pittsburgh would likely do in a Fields trade, though, would be giving up their second-round pick this year which comes in at no. 51 overall. If that's true, then Pittsburgh checks in here at no. 4 on possible suitors for Fields.

3. Las Vegas Raiders

Best possible return: No. 44 pick in 2024 NFL Draft

Sticking with the idea that Fields could end up going for a second-round pick, the Las Vegas Raiders own a selection that's seven spots higher than Pittsburgh, thus it's easy to put them ahead of the Steelers here.

Las Vegas recently gave Antonio Pierce the permanent head coaching title, following his stint as the team's interim head coach last season. Pierce seems to have the genuine support of his locker room, especially one particular veteran, wideout Davante Adams.

A guy like Adams has gone on to publicly state that he's not going to wait around for a winning team. He's tired of losing and wants to win right now, and you'd be foolish as an organization not to take those words to heart.

The Raiders' quarterback situation will likely open up a bit this offseason as they probably move on from Jimmy Garoppolo, who is not the answer. Second-year pro Aidan O'Connell showed some things last year, but he's also not ready to be a starter in the NFL. That's why Fields makes sense. Las Vegas also has the no. 13 pick in this year's draft, so they'll have a tough time landing one of the top three passers.

2. New England Patriots

Best possible return: No. 34 pick in 2024 NFL Draft, possibly DT Davon Godchaux thrown in

This is where things get interesting. The New England Patriots sit at no. 3 overall in this year's draft, where they could at least be guaranteed Jayden Daniels if they wanted him. But, if the Patriots aren't sold on Daniels, or if they'd rather select someone like Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr., then quarterback is still an issue for them.

The Patriots own the no. 34 pick in this year's draft as well, which is an extremely early second. If New England is one of the teams that ends up checking in on Fields' availability, that pick could become highly sought after for Chicago.

The Patriots also have a cap casualty candidate in defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, who is an excellent run stuffer. He doesn't do much in terms of rushing the passer, but Godchaux would only further aid the Bears in boasting the no. 1 rushing defense in football.

If Chicago could snag the no. 34 pick in a deal for Fields, that could allow them to take one of the draft's top centers in the class, which is a huge need this offseason.

1. Atlanta Falcons

Best possible return: No. 8 overall pick in 2024 NFL Draft

A few weeks ago, ESPN's draft guru, Mel Kiper Jr., went on the air and said he thought the Atlanta Falcons would be willing to trade their first-round pick, at no. 8 overall, for Fields.

Now, most would agree that this is highly unlikely. But, for the sake of the argument, let's try and make this deal a bit more realistic for both sides.

Even if the Bears were to give up a fourth rounder, along with Fields, it would be well-worth landing the no. 8 overall pick. Picturing the Bears with three first-round picks in this class would be a dream, only it's quite possible if you ask a guy like Kiper.

Hypothetically speaking, let's say the Bears' first round looks like this:

No. 1: Caleb Williams, QB, USC

No. 8: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

No. 9: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

I'm not sure you could draw it up any better than that, folks. It might be a dream, but wouldn't it be fun?