Chicago Bears’ Dilemma: Bears Lose Rookie QB To Local Rivals In Stunning Trade Proposal
The Chicago Bears find themselves in the same position they did last year. Blessed with the overall no. 1 pick in April’s NFL draft, they will have the option of selecting college football’s top prospect or trading away that prized draft position for a haul of talent.
Last year, they did the latter, dealing their no. 1 pick for the Carolina Panthers’ first-and second-round picks (Nos. 9 and 61) in the draft, along with a 2024 first-round pick, a second-round pick in 2025, and wide receiver DJ Moore. That trade has thus far bagged them offensive tackle Darnell Wright and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson. And, of course, it has resulted in them having the overall no. 1 pick for a second straight year.
However, this year there’s more drama in the pre-draft air.
Chicago Bears’ Dilemma
USC blue chip quarterback prospect Caleb Williams is the top dog in the draft and many feel that the Bears would be insane not to take him. But they also have 2021 first-round draft pick Justin Fields on the team, and the three-year veteran QB is coming off his best year in the league– one where he not only showed flashes of brilliance, but also added maturity to his game.
So, what’s Chicago to do?
The overwhelming consensus opinion is that the Bears will draft Williams and deal Fields.
Several teams are reportedly interested in the talented, but sometimes inconsistent Fields, who many feel could become a true elite field presence with the right tweaks and under the right system. Reportedly among the interested parties are the Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots and Washington Commanders.
You can also add The Tamp Bay Buccaneers to that list, if Bleacher Report football writer Kristopher Knox is correct in his assessments. In an article detailing the top possible trade packages for Fields, he mentions Tampa Bay as a potential suitor for the Bears QB.
Justin Fields to Tampa Bay?
In his trade proposal, Knox has the Bears sending the soon-to-be 25-year-old Fields to the Bucs for their 2024 second-round pick (no. 57 overall), their 2024 fourth-round pick (no. 26 overall), a 2025 third-round pick, wide receiver Russell Gage and EDGE Shaquil Barret.
The deal represents a scaled-down version of Chicago’s 2023 trade with Carolina and, possibly, the kind of transaction that appeals to Bears general manager Ryan Poles’ affinity for wheeling and dealing, without touching either of the team’s two first-round picks.
But why would the Buccaneers trade for Fields when they have a Pro Bowl QB in Baker Mayfield?
Well, Mayfield may not be a Buccaneer this year.
Why The Buccaneers?
With Tampa Bay deciding not to put the franchise tag on him, Mayfield will become a free agent and hit the open market, presumably going to the highest bidder. Several teams have reportedly expressed interest in him, including the Las Vegas Raiders, and he will command a bundle of money in the current quarterback-hungry league. The six-year veteran will certainly benefit from having a career year where he threw for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns in helping the Buccaneers make the playoffs as an AFC Wild Card.
With Tampa Bay having so many free agents to try and re-sign– including wide receiver Mike Evans, safety Antoine Winfield Jr., linebacker Lavonte David and linebacker Devin White– the feeling is that the huge money Mayfield will be asking for would just be too much.
Fields would come to the team at a much more reasonable price this year and would still be a less-costly option if they picked up his fifth-year option. Gage and Barret, meanwhile, would likely be cap casualties anyway.
The Bears would get three draft picks in the deal, plus two field-ready players at positions where depth is currently needed.
It sure seems like this could be a win-win for both sides, but only if the Bears opt to trade Fields and if Mayfield is lost via free agency.
