Early Deals Working Against Justin Fields Trade

Free Agency Focus: Kirk Cousins agreeing to terms with Atlanta leaves the Bears with few trading partners for QB Justin Fields.

Justin Fields' wait could last even longer.

The marketplace for Fields is just not there now after quarterback Kirk Cousins signed with the Atlanta Falcons in free agency, a four-year deal announced by numerous league sources.

Unless the Bears want to trade Fields within their division to the Minnesota Vikings, they may need to hang onto their quarterback until as late as the draft if not later. Waiting until after the first round of the draft could give teams who might fail to find a quarterback in free agency or the first round to pursue the Bears QB if they are planning to draft Caleb Williams.

It's possible the Raiders or Seattle Seahawks would have interest, although no interest on the part of either team has been reported. Other teams could later show a need, like the New York Giants or a team looking for backup could, as well.

The Raiders would appear to be out of the running after signing Gardner Minshew to compete with Aidan O'Connell. 

Sources: The #Raiders have agreed to terms with QB Gardner Minshew on a 2-year deal. He'll compete with QB Aidan O'Connell.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2024

The positive part of the deal, of course, is the Bears no longer have to face Cousins twice a season.

In Cousins' 12 games against the Bears with Washington and Minnesota, he has a 96.9 passer rating, 8-4 record as starter, has won his last five starts against them and has 17 TD passes to seven interceptions.

The Bears don't play the Falcons this season.

The early free agency agreements included also Saquon Barkley going to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Bears had a reported interest in Barkley but the money needed would have been quite a bit more than what they have agreed to pay former Eagles back D'Andre Swift. Barkley signed for a reported $37 million over three years and the Bears are paying Swift $24 million over three years.

The Bears also have to contend now with running back Josh Jacobs twice a year. Jacobs agreed to terms with the Green Bay Packers, according to ESPN. The shocker was he is going to replace Aaron Jones, after the Packers cut him.

ESPN's Adam Schefter also reported defensive tackle Christian Wilkins is off the board for the Bears as the Raiders agreed to a four-year, $110 million deal with the former Raiders player.

Twitter: BearDigest@BearsOnMaven