NFL Draft

Bears Deal QB Justin Fields in Wild 3-Team Trade Proposal

This suggested trade offer would net the Bears a pair of Day 2 picks, give an NFC South team a new franchise quarterback, and send and AFC North team climbing up the draft board.

Luke Easterling

Bears Deal QB Justin Fields in Wild 3-Team Trade Proposal
Bears Deal QB Justin Fields in Wild 3-Team Trade Proposal /

The Chicago Bears currently own the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, leaving them with an intriguing dilemma: Do they spend the pick on a new franchise quarterback, or use the selection to keep building around Justin Fields?

Resetting at quarterback would make some financial sense for the Bears, as they could restart the clock on a rookie contract with a new passer instead of Fields, who will be up for a long-term contract extension soon.Β 

The Bears also have no shortage of worthy candidates for that top pick, as USC's Caleb Williams, North Carolina's Drake Maye, and even LSU's Jayden Daniels could make a strong case for the No. 1 spot.

Takin a quarterback at No. 1 would also free the Bears up to trade Fields to another QB-needy team, allowing them to add more draft assets with which to build around their new franchise passer.

What could a Fields trade look like? Falcons writer Scott Carasik threw out an interesting three-team scenario that involves the Atlanta Falcons and the Cincinnati Bengals:

This deal would land the Bears a pair of Day 2 picks split between this year's and next year's drafts, while the Falcons get Fields for the price of dropping down 10 spots in the first round this year, along with the possibility of a conditional third-round pick in 2025. The Bengals give up a second-rounder (and the same potential conditional pick in 2025, depending on the scenario) in return for jumping up into the top 10.

Atlanta's offense is already loaded with young talent at the skill positions in wide receiver Drake London, tight end Kyle Pitts, and running back Bijan Robinson. Dropping down to No. 18 would still put the Falcons in position to land a talented edge rusher, filling their biggest need on defense.

The Bengals jumping into the top 10 would give them a better shot at one of this year's top wide receivers or offensive tackles.Β 

Three-team trades are extremely rare in the NFL, but this would could make plenty of sense for all parties involved, including Fields.

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Luke Easterling
LUKE EASTERLING

Luke Easterling (he/him) has been covering college football and the NFL for more than two decades, with a particular focus on the nexus of both, the NFL Draft. Writing for some of the largest and most recognizable brands in sports media, Luke's experience and expertise in evaluating potential NFL prospects and evaluating team needs/fits has earned the appreciation of his readers, and the respect of his peers. Luke cut his sports journalism teeth at The Tampa Tribune before spending two years at Bleacher Report as a featured columnist covering the NFL Draft and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Luke then spent nearly seven years at USA TODAY Sports Media Group as editor of Draft Wire and Bucs Wire, building both into authoritative destination sites for their respective audiences. Now at The Arena Group, Luke covers the NFL and college football for Athlon Sports, and runs Sports Illustrated's FanNation site for the NFL Draft. A graduate of the University of South Florida, Luke has been a featured guest on ESPN Radio, CBS Sports Radio, Fox Sports Radio, SiriusXM and more.Β  Based in Tampa, Florida (the true home of the Cuban sandwich), Luke plays the drums, loves 2000s pop-punk, watches way too many British murder mystery shows, and channels the energy of his deep-south Grammy and his full-Italian Nana in the kitchen. Twitter: @lukeeasterling Email: luke.easterling@si.com

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