The Chicago Bears’ 30-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night dropped them to 2-6 on the year, all but confirming that they’ll have to be a seller ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline.
Chicago is in excellent position to hold two top-five draft picks in April, as they own the Carolina Panthers’ 2024 first-round pick thanks to the Bryce Young trade. If the Bears wanted to increase their odds of winning the Caleb Williams sweepstakes, GM Ryan Poles just might be willing to trade third-year quarterback Justin Fields.
The Bears have failed to build a competitive team around Fields, not to mention that Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus weren’t here yet when the team traded up to snag Fields 11th overall in 2021.
If there’s one team that should be trying to work out a deal for Fields, it’s Arthur Smith’s Atlanta Falcons. They’re somehow 4-4 and tied for the NFC South lead despite the 28th-ranked scoring offense that has averaged just 17.3 points per game.
Fields has had limited help around him in the Windy City, but imagine if he got the opportunity to shine in Smith’s offense? He’d have a superstar running back in Bijan Robinson, a former 1,000-yard rusher Tyler Allgeier, a borderline top-five NFL tight end in Kyle Pitts and a rising star wideout in Drake London.
Fields would shine in Smith’s offense that leans heavily on the ground game. He’d also have the fortunes of playing behind an elite offensive line and with a stingy defense that’s allowing only 20.1 points per contest.
Atlanta can offer Chicago second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder and a 2024 third-round pick to Chicago for Fields. The Bears would get a fine short-term option in Ridder, but trading Fields also increases their chances of getting Williams.
For the Falcons, a trade for Fields just might be the last piece that helps them end a six-year playoff drought. It’s a risk worth taking, because the rest of the roster is too talented to be held back by mediocre QB play.