Patrick McDermott/Getty ImagesThe Chicago Bears have received trade interest regarding quarterback Justin Fields, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
Breer noted that Chicago’s staffers got “inquiries” from opposing teams at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. Although the Bears haven’t been shopping Fields, the front office used the discussions to gauge the 24-year-old’s trade value.
With Chicago owning the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL draft and several impressive quarterback prospects available, general manager Ryan Poles could move Fields, who was the No. 11 pick in 2021.
Although he’s played behind an offensive line that has struggled with pass protection throughout his career, Fields has remained inconsistent in his first three years in the league. In 13 starts during his 2023 campaign, he completed 61.4 percent of his passes for 2,562 yards and 16 touchdowns against nine interceptions.
He also rushed for 657 yards, although it represented a step down from the 1,143 yards he racked up on the ground in 2022. However, he’s still shown flashes of his former Ohio State self and could be an intriguing trade option for a team that’s in need of some quarterback help.
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Breer revealed that the Bears will meet “over the next couple weeks” to finalize their quarterback plans and are expected to make a decision once the scouting combine begins on Feb. 26 in Indianapolis. Chicago hasn’t officially made a decision regarding its future under center, although it appears that the front office could be interested in a fresh start.
“But I think the reality, for Chicago, will be that the talent of [USC quarterback] Caleb Williams plus the chance to reset the quarterback-on-a-rookie-contract clock will be too much for Chicago to pass on,” Breer wrote. “We’ll see.”
Fields is still on the roster for now, although that could change in the coming weeks if opposing teams continue to inquire about his availability.
Source : Bleacher Report