Potential QB Solution But Would It Work?

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Bears have considered keeping Justin Fields and also drafting Caleb Williams but could such a situation even work or benefit the team?

Call Adam Schefter the great compromiser.

Or maybe not. That was Henry Clay's title.

However, in Bears Nation there are the Justin Fields supporters and the Caleb Williams supporters. The feuding continues every day on social media, but ESPN's NFL insider Schefter reports the team has considered an alternative to make everyone happy. Or, at least it would make many happy for a while.

In a Super Bowl day Postseason NFL Countdown panel discussion, Schefter reported the Bears have talked about drafting Williams and keeping Fields.

"The Bears did," Schefter maintained. "They have talked about the idea, as unlikely as it seems, of carrying both quarterbacks, taking the guy at One and keeping Fields.

"Now, will they get to that? It's hard to imagine that, but that is a conversation that has come up within the organization."

Attacked further on this by the panel, which included Rex Ryan, Schefter insisted he knows this.

"It's not smoke screen," Schefter said. "They've talked about it. I'm not telling you they're doing it but they've talked about it.

"That's not smoke screen, that's a fact."

It destroys his value if they do, and increases the likelihood that he walks away for nothing.

This comes across more as a “don’t think you’ll get him cheap” move

— Matt Carstensen (@BearsNerd) February 11, 2024

None of this should be surprising to anyone. When the season ended, GM Ryan Poles was asked about it.

"My brain has gone crazy all year thinking of the million different scenarios, but I am sure that's one of them," Poles said. "I'll just stay very wide open with the different paths we can go, and as we collect information, if that closes some of those pathways down, then we'll do that, move to the other ones. But I'm going to be wide open about this."

The problem with doing this is pretty simple. Trading the pick can net them enough to plug about any hole they have on their roster for several years. Keeping the pick and taking Williams gives up this opportunity but they could regain a little back by getting rid of Fields.

The main problem is that keeping Fields past next year would mean a nightmare for their salary cap because then he'd be due the big money.

However, if they did this and did it for one season it would be possible.

Doing it seems unlikely considering the status of their team and needs.

Ryan pointed out the Dallas Cowboys had done it with Steve Walsh and Troy Aikman. That's a true statement but it didn't come during an era where the salary cap situation is like it is now. In fact, they didn't even have free agency as it's now conducted until a several years after Aikman came into the NFL.

This is the type of maneuver a team with a set lineup, one established at quarterback and constantly competing for the playoffs, can afford. 

That type of team can let a young quarterback with potential sit on the sidelines and watch while the existing starter continues to play.

Even then, the eventual cap ramifications would lead to change.

The Bears are not at a stage of development where they can ignore a chance for acquiring massive amounts of talent or acquiring and playing a potential elite passer.

Twitter: BearDigest@BearsOnMaven