Rumors emerge about whether Bears will trade Justin Fields or No. 1 draft pick

Justin Fields will potentially have the biggest impact on the 2024 NFL Draft. The Bears, owners of the first pick in this year’s draft, must decide whether to build around the inconsistent Fields or draft a quarterback with that first selection and send the Ohio State product elsewhere. This year’s draft is considered to have three potentially elite quarterbacks in USC’s Caleb Williams, North Carolina’s Drake Maye and LSU’s Jayden Daniels.

What the Bears should do will be debated ad nauseam leading into the draft, and with the season now over it becomes much more relevant. NBC’s Peter King wrote that the Bears could get a “ransom” for the pick, and he expects Bears general manager Ryan Poles will ultimately trade the selection. However, he said it’s too early to say that with conviction.

Poles did not tip his hand Sunday. “We’re working from a position of strength and just going to continue to keep an open mind and look at all options,” general manager Poles said on ESPN 1000, as transcribed by ESPN . “I’m excited for that opportunity.” Star receiver D.J. Moore, who was part of the deal with the Panthers for the No.

1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, said he brought up Fields in his exit meetings. “He’s the quarterback of the Chicago Bears until otherwise, and I don’t think that’s changing anytime soon,” Moore said. “It’ll be amazing (if Fields stays). Nobody really wants to start all the way over [with a rookie quarterback] and having a losing season again or maybe [it’s like] Joe Burrow? You could have that kind of season.

You never know. It’s hit or miss. “We’re going to have to wait and see.” The Bears have to mull the options to use the pick or trade it since Fields has not lived up to expectations since being taken as the 11th pick in the 2021 draft. Fields has shown he’s an elite runner, on par with Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts, but his passing numbers leave a lot to be desired.

The Bears are just 16 35 in his three seasons, with this year’s 7 10 record making their best record with Fields leading the charge. Fields has thrown 40 career touchdowns to 30 interceptions. Sunday’s road game against the Packers marked a chance for Fields to make one final statement, but he instead flopped.

Fields completed 11 of 16 passes for 148 yards in the 17 9 loss and did not lead a touchdown drive. One of the knocks against Fields is he can’t beat teams with his arm, and he mounted little offense Sunday with the Packers closing running lanes. “That decision is not in my hands,” Fields said after Sunday’s game, per ESPN.

“All I can control is what I did do. I gave it my all. Whether it’s here or not, I have no regrets.”.