The Bears would fetch far more by trading the No. 1 overall pick than by trading Justin Fields. Though, other advantages — the prospect value of Caleb Williams and having at least three more years of a rookie contract to build around — still look to be pointing the Bears in the direction of starting over.
While headlines did surface in the pro-Fields direction, they have largely been blunted by the other QB route Chicago can take. Views around the NFL still lend toward Fields being on the move. The consensus at the Senior Bowl centered on the Bears trading Fields, according to the Boston Sports Journal’s Mike Giardi.
After trading the No. 1 pick last year — for a bounty that included D.J. Moore and what turned out to be this year’s top choice — the Bears should not be expected, barring an extraordinary development, to move out of the top slot again, the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs notes. This would almost definitely mean drafting Williams at No. 1.
Kliff Kingsbury‘s Commanders OC hire has invited speculation about a reunion between the recent USC quarterbacks coach and his prized pupil, though the parties only worked together for several months. This would only be relevant if the Bears show a willingness to pass on Williams and take the next-best quarterback at 2. This would be an obvious risk given Williams’ prospect profile.
The concept of the Bears trading down and still grabbing a quarterback represents a farfetched scenario, Biggs adds, though if the team place near-equal grades on the top two prospects, it is conceivable it would entertain a trade-down maneuver. Still, Biggs classifies the prospect of Chicago moving down as “remote.” The team that passed on Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson for Mitch Trubisky will naturally face pressure to nail its upcoming QB decision and find the franchise-level option that has eluded the organization since at least Jim McMahon.
Moving down and being comfortable enough with Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels would be a fascinating call by the Bears, who would then have assets from a Fields trade and from moving down one spot on the board. Then again, Ryan Poles did not draft Fields. Passing on the likes of Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud and then punting on the Williams draft slot would invite scrutiny on Poles, despite his shrewd move to pick up assets from the Panthers. How the Commanders grade the top QB prospects will naturally determine their interest level in moving up to 1. Williams, per The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain, should still be expected to go first overall — as he has for months.
Fields’ marginal improvement, which led to a lukewarm Poles postseason endorsement (after the GM built his 2023 offseason around Fields developing), and the Commanders’ Kingsbury hire may be tertiary matters regarding the upcoming draft. The Bears’ access to Williams remains the lead story. Fields has shown generational gifts as a runner but has not developed into a passer that would, in the eyes of most, make it a genuine debate between a path with him or Williams as Chicago’s QB1. Fields’ penchant for bailing on plays early frustrated some with the Bears, Giardi adds. He finished this season 23rd in QBR.
After Fields did not move the Bears into playoff contention during his rookie contract, the Bears — or, in all likelihood, another team — must decide on the 2021 first-rounder’s fifth-year option by May. As Fields is set to become more expensive soon, the Bears would have the luxury of keeping Williams on a rookie deal through at least 2026. Williams can be tied to his rookie pact through 2028 via his own fifth-year option.
A December breakdown pegged Fields’ trade value modestly, indicating the Bears would be likely to receive proposals headlined by a Day 2 pick. It would be interesting to see if the Raiders showed interest in the three-year vet, given Fields’ up-and-down tenure alongside Luke Getsy. But Las Vegas is a team in need at the position; that need has since brought the Daniels-Antonio Pierce connection back to the surface. While the Vikings and Broncos also carry needs and reside in similar draft territory (Nos. 11 and 12), Fields would not seem a fit for either Sean Payton or Kevin O’Connell‘s offenses. Now that the Falcons have hired Sean McVay disciple Zac Robinson as OC, Fields’ Atlanta fit may not be optimal. Then again, teams holding picks outside the top three may need to get creative — especially those that do not land Kirk Cousins or Baker Mayfield.
Arthur Smith revamped his offense for Marcus Mariota in 2022, and although the Steelers have Kenny Pickett tentatively installed back atop their depth chart, how Pittsburgh goes about adding competition will be worth monitoring. A Fields trade would not seemingly be competition-focused but rather a move aimed at landing a surefire starter.
I’d bet on them taking Williams. They also hired an offensive coordinator who’s worked with the QB Collective, which is where Williams is training in the leadup to the draft. Even if you buy into the best Fields has shown and think he can keep moving in that direction, you would have to believe Fields is most likely going to be better than Williams to justify the financial difference. They can build more around Williams than they can around whatever Fields’ contract will be. Fields’ track record just can’t make you rationally *that* confident. I think Fields can be a solid, exciting but frustrating middle of the pack starting QB, and a lot of teams could use that. But you don’t pass on a high level 1:1 QB prospect on a rookie deal to give big money to a guy like that.
I think you sold me ooof . I was for keeping Fields and trading back but you have some truth bombs .
Also the team is shaping up enough that you’re not going to get a chance like this again any time soon.
This guys on fire lol
There are other QB’s in this draft who can be better than Fields, and reset the QB clock plus give the Bears the added Draft picks that will speed up the rebuild. Maye or Daniels can do the same thing. Plus the Bears can keep Fields for one more year, Not pick up his 5th year option, Let Maye or Daniels develop for a year and play when Fields gets hurt again and get the O line additions they need. What they really need are more picks. They need at least 1 2nd round pick and have 2 in 2025, One of which is Carolina’s which should be at the top of the 2nd round. They should also entertain trading down a bit from 9 for more picks also. So they have options to trade next years picks to get back in the 2nd round this year. Trading down from 1 makes too much sense, And moving back from 9 also should get them what they need. It all depends on what Waldron thinks of who he wants to work with. This is not a year to go all in. It’s another build year.
Not to mention that Bagent looks to be a solid option as a system QB who can be a solid 3rd option. The kid is cool in the pocket, If they had one that is, And proved that he can stand in there and compete. He’s also cool as the other side of the pillow when he gets time, Goes through his progressions and makes good choices.
I usually agree with some of what you point out but we disagree on this- They have to draft a QB prospect with franchise potential and I think there may be more than one in this class. It’s the most important position on the filed and they have absolutely struck out for decades. They’ve traded down for years to “get more pieces” but it’s like building a race car with all the bells and whistles.. and putting a VW Beetle motor in it. It’s never gonna win a race. Go for it Poles. Trade Fields for a 2nd rounder this year and get another stud at 9.
….OR they draft Williams, he busts out, and the Bears are right back where they started.I just think that there is more inherent risk drafting Williams, ro any other QB in this draft at one, or 2, than there is reward. the Bears still have too many holes, and QB is not the most pressing thing at this time.
nrd- What the Bears really need is to find a sucker who will take Nate Davis and add the 11 million bucks they’d save on a useless waste of space. Then they can move Jenkins back where he belongs next to Darnell Wright and make a solid Right side of the line. That contract might be worse than trading for Claypool.
nrd… uh huh.. It’s that ‘playing it safe’ mentality that has kept them mediocre forever. And QB is absolutely their biggest need. The Texans have a lot of holes but Stroud came in, and with the right OC, killed it this year. I think, barring injury, William’s floor is very high and betting on him is safer than believing Fields is going to suddenly be a QB we haven’t already seen. After three years in the league, he was 39th out of 40 in 4th quarter QBR. Sorry. That just won’t cut it.
rondon- The Bears need to stop doing things backwards. Firing half a coaching staff. Hiring coaches before a GM. drating a QB without an OL. Build up the O line first. Then draft a QB. Give him the tools to succeed FIRST. Get another TE, WR, Line and RB. Keep Fields for one more cheap year. Hey if Poles can do both fine. There’s no reason the Bears can’t draft another QB but that #1 pick is too valuable in multiple assets. They still need too many things. There’s a good chance they get another high pick next year to go with wherever they end up even if their own pick is later in the first round next year. The cool thing about QB’s is there are a whole new crop of them each year.
The Bears traded four draft picks for Mitch Trubisky QB. Those picks were or could have been Patrick Mahomes QB MVP; Alvin Kamara RB Pro Bowler (PB); George Kittle TE PB; and Fred Warner LB PB. Three are in this year’s Super Bowl.
Good trade?
No one actually drafts that well because they don’t get to draft with hindsight. You can find plenty of massive tradeups where the team trading down got scraps with their haul of picks. Heck, the 49ers took Solomon Thomas.
They’ll probably get a second rounder for Fields. Why pass on the top QB prospect? That’s the hardest thing to get. They can always trade down from their other first rounder if the goal is just to accumulate more picks.
I agree. IMO Daniels would be a great pick.
Trading down from 1 makes too much sense,
====================
It depends a little on what you are looking for For WRs and premier OL line guys, I’d stick with where you are. For CBs and IDL guys, I would trade back to that #18-23 range. IMVHO
Agree that they definitely draft one of the top TWO QBs who have a floor of Fields and would be on a rookie contract.
However, everything I’ve read says the difference between Williams and Maye is minimal and comes down to which traits you value most. If they prefer Maye or see both as equal they should talk to Washington about trading down a spot for a 2024 or 2025 2nd along with the 2024 #2 overall.
Get the player you want and another high pick. That assumes Washington really wants Williams over Maye.
In the end it’s a lottery pick. Either could be next year’s Stroud or Young (who may still pan out but obviously wasn’t Stroud)
I get what you’re saying, but you also have to bet on your evaluation when it comes to QB, and I think people are going to see a decent gap between Williams and Maye. Even if you’re going to hear a lot of planted rumors to the contrary between now and the draft.
They’re going to have to give up more than that. They’re going to have to give them their #1 next year too, which is why this is a no-brainer. That very well might be #1 overall again next year. Washington’s offensive line is still going to be terrible, and their defense is still going to be void of much talent.
I’d be shocked if Wash gave up next year’s #1. That would be a significant overpayment.
Being a Bears fan, I think it’s only fair that the NFL allow them to both trade the pick for a haul and draft Caleb Williams. You know, considering all of the snow in Chicago.
You’ve been through a lot. But I’m a Jets fan, so you’re not alone.
I have no idea what they will do, but I believe they should trade down and continue to build around Fields.
Oooof, counterargument to your point, I don’t know if Fields has a higher ceiling than Williams, but we do know he has a higher floor. There is clear evidence Fields can win you games in the NFL, and he’s shown improvement. Everything with Williams is projection at this point, and look at the number of QB prospects that flame out in the pros.
I understand, financially, it makes far more sense for the Bears to draft Williams. I cannot make a single argument against that. However, if he misses, you have a huge mess if you’re the Chicago GM. You risk alienating your players and a portion of your fanbase. That’s why I’d stick with Fields, trade back with Washington, draft Harrison Jr, and see what happens. You probably pick up two more 1st round picks in the coming years too that way.
I think Caleb Williams with something like $40 million total guaranteed has a higher floor than Justin Fields making more than $30 million per year. I also frankly don’t see where Fields has shown a high floor. He’s been in the league three years and he still isn’t nearly a consistently good quarterback. He still doesn’t complete a high percentage of his passes. He still gets the ball out slowly, which adds to his injury risk as someone who’s been banged up. His floor isn’t that high for a guy who needs to be paid soon.
There is clear evidence Fields can win you games in the NFL
=======================
I’m curious what you consider “clear evidence”.
Fields does NOT have a higher floor than Williams. Fields has lost more games than he’s won. He’s horrendous in the 4th QTR. He STILL hangs onto the ball too long and doesn’t pull the trigger on a regular basis. Do you think after 3 seasons he’s going to suddenly take a big step up? Because Fields, as is, is never gonna take this team to a Super Bowl. I would also argue that Eberflub will never lead a team there either. But that’s another story…
Fields absolutely has a higher floor than Williams. Williams hasn’t thrown an NFL pass yet. For all we know, he could come in and play like Trey Lance. I don’t see it as likely, but it’s a big jump going from college to the pros.
For the record though, yes, I believe if they draft Marvin Harrison Jr., Fields does take another step forward. The more talent you surround a QB with, the easier it becomes. I also believe the change in OC will benefit Fields.
“They can build more around Williams than they can around whatever Fields’ contract will be.”
You have to keep in mind, retaining Fields also comes with likely 3 future first round pick plus either more picks in later rounds or a reliable veteran starter.
So the building goes both ways. By drafting Williams, you get cap space due to not having to pay him for a few years, but by trading the pick, you get several more first round rookies in coming years.
I think this is the epitome of “Don’t overthink it”.
Preach!
Actually there’s no need to think at all. Just ask the Blackhawks what they would do…then do the exact opposite.
Of course you also need to factor in that if Bears stick with Fields they could also stay where they are in the draft and select Marvin Harrison Jr. or take a chance trading back a slot or two adding more picks and still getting Harrison at two or three.
Obviously I think they should take Williams. But they could pretty safely trade down to 2 or 3 without risking him getting taken
100%, I think the ideal scenario for Chicago would be to try to pry away one of Washington’s second round selections, as well as their 1st next year, and move down to #2. I’m of the opinion Chicago may even get more. I really like the fit of Harrison Jr. to Chicago, though.
I’d trade out the pick and trade Fields.
When is the last time the Bears actually drafted and developed a decent QB? Kyle Orton?
Last decent QB they had came via trade in Jay Cutler from Denver a while ago.
I don’t see keeping Fields or drafting Williams as the answer.
Personally, Bears should look at the trade market or really focus on someone like Kirk Cousins who could be on his way out if Vikings are intent on drafting a QB. They need a proven QB. I just don’t trust their ability to draft + develop a QB.
Trade the pick for a kings ransom, build the roster up through the draft, and look for a veteran QB to lead a young team.
Hasn’t the whole coaching staff and most of the front office changed since they drafted a QB? Building a young, talented team and then counting on old QBs isn’t a great strategy either. Look at the Reich Colts or the current Jets. Adding 36-year old Kirk Cousins returning from an achilles tear to this roster isn’t a path to anything.
Reichs colts did fine with Wentz. Didn’t do so well with Ryan
Rodger’s didn’t play this year so hard to say it didn’t work when he didn’t play
And we just watched Shane Falco sorry Joe Flacco come off the couch in his late 30s to lead a decimated but talented Browns team to the playoffs.
Bears have been through quite a few coaching staff changes. Failed with Trubinsky. Failed with Fields. I wouldn’t trust the bears to develop Williams, Maye, Daniels.
I have more faith they can build a defense and put together good pieces around a veteran QB either via free agency or trade. Trading the #1 pick and possibly further back gives them chances to put together quite a good team for the long run. You fail to develop Williams Maye Daniels you’re back to square 1.
And have a ceiling of winning one playoff game before needing to find another QB plan in a year or two? A QB on a rookie deal also allows them to build a lot more team around him.
Not if you fail to develop him like the last 2. Doesn’t matter what you have if your qb doesn’t live up to the draft status.
They obviously need to do better, but paying market value to an old second tier QB ain’t a path forward to relevance for this team.
Neither is failing to develop a rookie qb and wasting premium draft position, again.
Wasting #1, #2, and #10 overall picks plus another top 10 pick they gave away in the Fields deal to the Giants will have set this franchise back a long way.
Least with an old qb you’re out $$$ if things go wrong. Not important draft capital.
One hit pays for a lot of misses. And this is sports. You have to let old failures go instead of letting them get in your head. If you pass on a top flight QB out of fear, that’s the worst.
You mean like Nick Foles? Or Mike Glennon? Maybe bring back Trubisky? Wentz couldn’t find a job until late last year. Trading both Fields and the pick is nonsense.
Nick Foles and Mike Glennon were 3rd tier QBs the Bears overpaid for.
Foles had glimpses but was a journeyman qb who led a Philly team to a Super Bowl after wentz got hurt and Glennon had glimpses in Tampa but lost his job to Winston.
So no. Not like them. A PROVEN qb.
Not to rain on anyone’s parade, but only eight quarterbacks selectied No. 1 have Super Bowl rings and that includes David Carr, who was a backup to the Giants’ Eli Manning and did not play a down. That leaves seven who have actually won titles. So what are the odds that Caleb Williams can lead the Bears to a Super Bowl win? I think the best course of action is to build the roster around Fields and use the draft capital from Washington to take Marvin Harrison at No. 2 and build the O (center, tackle, TE?) and D lines (DE), Football is about blocking and tackling. The game is won in the trenches. Also, the person who said on another board that a WR cannot lift a team up apparently never watched Jerry Rice. P.S. Williams would have the same problems Fields had — no blocking and no one to throw the ball to. And since the average career for football players is a little more than 3 years, you would be starting a rebuilld process all over again. Can you wait another three or four years to be relevant?
DJ Moore had 1400 receiving yards and Mooney was solid when healthy. Not the greatest core but Fields had some receivers. No worse than half the league
Moore was hurt and while in games was not very effective at times due to injuries, and in a few where he probably should not have been out there at all, same with Kmet. To be fair, it appears that Defenses were targeting them to try to injure them. Mooney also dropped at least 1 game winner IIRC, but I guess that was on Fields too, as he should have caught his own pass, ala Bugs Bunny. Add in an Offense that was so predictable that the other team’s Defense knew what was coming before the snap and yet the Bears still won 7 games with what was a suspect O line at times. If the Defense holds up for a few on those close ones then Bears were likely in the playoffs. All with one solid season (and improvement) from Fields where he finally had a team around him after being on a godawful ’22 team (which people always seem to forget).
Then again there are those self loathing Bears ‘fans’ who just live to dump on every QB that comes in at this point (until I guess the Bears can clone Payton Manning or something). Most of these ‘fans’ will likely do the same if Williams, or another QB, comes here and is ‘average’ or ‘above average’ in a couple of seasons.
Other than the Nick Foles year, when is the last time a team won the Super Bowl without a QB who’s made multiple Pro Bowls? A star QB matters more to winning a Super Bowl than any other individual factor (not to say that’s close to the only factor that matters).
And numbers like how many #1 overall QBs have won Super Bowls are thrown off a lot by Tom Brady winning 7 of the last 22.
Brock Purdy mean anything?
A great story, a solid quarterback, and a wild outlier. He’s piloting an offense with the best play caller and the best weapons and the best left tackle in football. To look at Brock Purdy and see a repeatable plan is silly. Probability also matters in team building. That number one overall quarterback won’t always be the best QB from a draft, but they’re much more likely to be a star.
Thank you! People pull the Brock Purdy example up like that isn’t a once every 25 year example. Also can we be honest he’s a great story and a much better player then expect but there at minimum 10-12 QBs John Lynch and Kyle Shannon would trade him for in a heart beat.
Eli Manning has two rings, are people really saying he was a great QB (and not that the D’s on those teams were amazing)?
Brady shows people that one does not need to be a ‘generational’ QB out of college to be wildly successful in the NFL. Actually I would say its the other way: the ‘can’t miss’ guys seem to miss just as much, but its worse because they were also drafted so high.
Most QB’s fail because teams do things backwards. They draft the QB then he gets beat up because the team trades all their picks and has no capital to draft an O-Line for him. The Bears have a chance here to do something special here. Trade down from 1, Keep Fields for 1 year, Still get a QB of the future and have more pieces to get the O line pieces to fill it up. Take Maye or Daniels or whoever they like. With the 9th pick they draft Fashanu or whatever his name is or whatever OT they think can play LG and give them some flexibility. Alt is too tall to play G and Jones can’t either. Now you have something. Jones-Fashanu- C?-Jenkins-Wright. That’s a power line with flexibility to move around. Then get some depth there with the later picks. There are WR’s they can get later. I hate passing on the early Wr’s but the O line is more important right now.
Personally none of the FA C’s exactly thrill me so I’m saying the Bears need to draft 2 of them. Maybe in the 2nd -4th round range and hopefully from trading down from 1 they have more options..
Seahawks’ center Evan Brown, whose PFF rating tanked somewhat last year, will be a FA. He’s been top third in the past and already knows the full offensive system. Expect him to sign with the Bears before the draft.
They could find a decent young center prospect in the third to challenge Brown and potentially backup at Guard. Van Pran and Frazier could make to their 3rd round selection. BC’s guard Christian Mohagany tried some snapping at the East-West camps, Poles’s alma mater, could be a later choice. They also coached Powers-Johnson in the Senior bowl, but he’d require an early 2nd (30’s-40’s).
Last time I checked…That CJ Stroud kid is pretty ok down in Houston. Btw, they have a worse roster than the Bears. Gotta get Caleb.
Texans do not have a worse offense than the Bears (and the Texans have a way better OC) and their D is still pretty good. The sole difference (much to the chagrin of Fields haters) is not Stroud vs Fields.
I always welcome playing with other people’s money/picks and I’ve posted this never happen scenario before:
Offer Fields & 9 to Washington for #2
Take Williams & Harrison back to back
I did say “never happen”
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
That is not enough compensation for the #2 pick.
Trading up from #9 to #2 would cost an additional 1st round pick in 2025 and probably a 3rd in 2024. Fields is barely worth a 3rd round pick as it is.
never happen is right.
The Bears should be able to pull off what they couldn’t last year. When I heard Washington picked Klingsbury to be the OC I knew they were going to trade up to #1. So the Bears should be able to trade down to 2, Then trade that again with the threat to NE that they’ll let somebody else have 2 and pass them up they should then move back again and at 3 have their choice of whichever QB NE doesn’t want( Maye or Daniels) or Harrison. All awesome possibilities. They might even be able to score another WR like Jacobi Meyers or Samuels in one of those deals. The possibilities are really endless at this point.
Bro NE is #3, they do not have to worry about the threat of Chicago trading down. WAS can go up to #1 and CHI can trade the #2 to whomever they want, NE still gets Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye which ever one is left sitting there at #3. Chicago isn’t trading back and then trading back again, that’s nonsense. i get that you are a wishful thinker and a dedicated fan but come on other teams have common sense and have needs that out weigh there current wants. Chicago made one good trade last year and now there fans think they are about to hustle every pick in every draft lol.
Eventually Chicago needs to select some players and win some meaningful games.
That all depends on just exactly WHO NE wants now doesn’t it? The Bears can trade it down to 6 to the Giants and still get a Stud OT and a Stud WR at 6 and 9 get a bunch of later picks in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. It’s not wishful thinking, It’s more likely to happen as not.
I enjoy mock drafts as much as the next, Chicago needs many things. I figured they grab Caleb at 1 and Olu Fashanu at 9 and go from there. But they can just keep trading down until they have all the picks lol. Take care
My current guess is that Poles deals down with WAS to #2, then again trading #2 to Raiders or Denver, leaving them to pick at #9 & #12/13. I expect those two to be used on either a top 4 WR, top 2 OT, top 3 edge, or possibly 3-tech Jer’zhan Newton.
Two trade downs could add two 2024 seconds, two 2024 thirds and a 2025 first…maybe more. Beats the return for Fields (2nd & 4th…), whom I expect to return.
There’s no way the Bears go from 2 to 12 or 13. A lot depends on what they can get in FA and if JJ costs too much whether they deal him also. Bears are pretty well set at CB with Gordon, Stevenson and Smith. Plus Stroman isn’t bad. They could deal him for a 2nd rounder or even a WR or S they like and draft another CB with a pick if JJ becomes a distraction. After the Bears lose Whitehair and Jackson they’ll have about 65 million. If they sign JJ they’ll have 45 million left. They’ll need at least 10 million to sign the draft picks and probably more with 2 1sts. There are a few DE’s in FA but they’re expensive depending on which way Poles wants to go. Davis 11 million dollar albatross complicates things unless they can move him. That’s why dealing JJ might be the smart play and resetting that clock. FA will set the stage. It’s going to be interesting and the Bears are running the draft right now.
Playing with other people’s money must not mean what it once did.
I didn’t think I needed the detail the minutia of “never happen”.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Thanks?
There’s nothing in stone right now. We don’t know who Waldron wants, Not that he’d say anyway. They haven’t even had the combine yet, Players to be interviewed drama to be played out, Possible off the field incidents maybe? Remember last year when 1 slid to 9? There’s a long way to go.
It sure doesn’t. Only privileged little kids get to play with other peoples money. I work for mine so I have no problem giving you my 2 cents.
If you want to trade up in the draft you have to give up something of value, Fields is a debatable trade asset at best.
–l–
Your Welcome?
Sometimes pretty darn good is not good enough, just ask Russell Wilson.
There is no way on Earth that the Bears GM is going to risk moving his home and family from potentially getting fired for watching a #1 draft pick that they pass on go to the playoffs next year with another team. If he picks Caleb and fails, it’s understood. If he sticks with Fields, gets the same and Willams is the next CJ Stroud, that’s probably the worst thing that could happen to a GM.
The only question is what can they get for Fields before the draft? I would honestly be shocked if it turns out different. I feel a lot of this smoke is reporters just staying busy.
Williams could possibly be the next Carson Palmer, Sam Darnold or Mark Sanchez but he has less chance of morphing into CJ Stroud than Field does.
I actually like the idea of building around Fields. But as a GM where both scenarios can go wrong, it’s best to go with the one that has the best optics. I wouldn’t suggest to always take the optics route, but this is a unique scenario for regret where his job could really be in the spotlight.
Yup, he’s not getting fired for drafting Williams. If he sticks with Fields and they go 7-10, he could get fired. The only way he trades out of #1 is if they genuinely believe that Maye and/or Daniels is a better QB.
If the Bears draft Williams and he’s as big a flop as Trubisky was the GM might not last as long as Ryan Pace did.
Perhaps, but Trubisky wasn’t touted like Caleb Williams has been. To bust on Williams would be like to bust on Andrew Luck-like rhetoric (or Mahomes) whatever the story is. Trubisky never had any pre-draft buzz like that.
If I’m a GM covering my bases in this particular situation, I’m going to re-invest Fields by trade while he still has solid value and take a chance on the top QB that’s given the ‘generational’ tag.
Second rounder is what I’m hearing
Sounds about right, I’d say maybe even late first round, but what late 1st round team needs a QB, ya know?
Uh maybe Bucs? As insurance
As many strides as the Bears did take this year they really need some more pieces. They need:
C- They should sign one in FA and draft one
DE- They need to sign one in FA-They’re available.
G- They need a G to go with Jenkins
T- They should pick one at 9 or so
S- Jackson is toast
Depth- They need some solid draft picks this year to fill those holes.
They could trade Fields
They could trade J.J. after they transition him and save 20 million AND get a decent pick or more.
They could trade back into the 2nd round with 2 2nd round picks next year.
There’s a ton of ways this can go and I constantly laugh at all these Mock Drafts. In fact if I’m feeling constipated I bring one out and it’s better than Dulcolax.
Trading the #1 pick and trading Fields makes the most sense. Stay close enough to get JDaniels or Maye, whichever the Bears prefer.
Unless they trade the #1 pick to either NE or WAS there is no way they can trade the #1 pick (Caleb) and still get Maye or Daniels.
Its going Caleb Williams at 1, Maye at 2 and Daniels at 3 regardless of who has the picks. So either the Bears take Caleb or they miss out on one the top 3. Both WAS and NE are better off staying put and selecting best available rather then trading the farm to move up 1-2 spots.
However if WAS decides to go all in and trade up to #1 then Chicago better just take the best QB available at #2 and use the other picks to build the lines.
Folks, remember we’re talking about the Bears here. History of poor drafting, marginal positive player evaluation of talent, and not wanting to spend $$$
They almost can’t screw this up this time.
Most options are viable
To me Fields ceiling comp is Donovan McNabb. If between Williams, Daniels and Maye you find that either Daniels or Maye are not a big drop off, you consider trading down.
I think most people would/should take/keep Fields if that comp is accurate, in which case trade down and fill other holes.
The Bears would do themselves the most help by building a quality team around whoever they decide to eventually take at QB. Highly drafted QB’s all have talent, but most of the ones that flamed out didn’t have offensive lines.
It just seems like drafting a QB now for the Bears is riskier than trading down and drafting good players for other holes they still have. The O Line still needs work, still need another stud receiver on the other side, another TE would be nice for when Kmet is hurt, D line still needs a NT and Edge, maybe Safety now.
Whereas drafting Williams, or another QB at the top and standing pat with the limited picks they have this year just makes it look like they will need to be creative and ‘hope’ some of the guys they draft that will be projects that will pan out in 1-2 seasons. The problem is if they ‘reset the clock’ like every ‘McCaskey’ keeps saying the Bears should do then you lose any savings if you have more holes to fill or position players to develop. Do not rely on FA either, the Bears tried that with the Oline last season and wound up with a turnstile in Davis at RG.
Finally what if the next QB they draft busts out or never reaches their potential (which is more likely BTW, but worse if that happens with a top 5 pick) but Fields also develops into an above average QB for another team that winds up paired with a good D and wins in the playoffs (possibly more)?
You’re making too much sense. I love all of these people acting like not only was QB the difference for this team but that Williams is this can’t miss prospect like Andrew Luck or Peyton Manning. He’s not. In fact, I said before last year, if that team gets 7 or 8 wins, they should call it a success. They got 7 wins. Fields wasn’t losing them those games that they lost. So many people have been brainwashed that Williams is the second coming of Mahomes that they’ve lost their minds. He’s not.
Fields is undervalued right now. You can lock him up on club options very low end deal. With one more year. He will sign. Best available qb in the league.
Caleb Williams showed a lot of negative traits this year – thus I might trade down a couple slots and bank the extra picks.
I’d trade Fields and the #1 pick, if I was the bears and got offers I liked. I’d want to stay in the top 10 and get at least 1 more 1st this year or a future draft for the #1 to move it. I’d move Fields, if a team offered me a decent 1st in a package as well. That would give them 3 or 4 1sts this year, and they could still draft a QB with multiple top 10 picks. They could also fill 2 or 3 other needs as well.
Bears very well might end up with the #1 pick again next year if they trade with Washington as expected. Who couldn’t see that team finishing bottom of the league again just like Carolina? They got four starters directly out of that trade so far. You can’t pass up that return on investment, especially not for a flaky guy like Williams. Guy was sobbing on the sideline because he lost to Oregon or something. Yeah, but he’s mentally tough enough to put the curse of Chicago QB play on his back and not have it break him mentally. Trade the pick.
Matt Eberflus would be a fool to try surviving another season with Fields as his QB.
If Chicago wants a first round pick in a trade, they can keep him. A second, maybe, but a 3rd round pick, yes. Steelers trading a rd rounder is doable
Whatever they do will be wrong. It’s the Bears. They will screw it up.
He’s not worth a number 1 maybe a number 3 pick
Williams is considered the best QB in the draft by most reputable sources. The Bears need a franchise quarterback who can execute a game plan consistently. Enough of the “make do with mediocre” mentality. And forget about trading down for a ton of picks that will need time to develop with mixed results (as usual). Get Caleb Williams and build the best offense in the league around him.