What Would Chicago Bears Trading No. 1 Pick Mean for Future of Justin Fields?
The future of former Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Justin Fields is unclear.
Fields is about to begin the final year of his contract with the Chicago Bears after four seasons of on-and-off performances. Towards the end of the regular season, talks began to emerge about the Bears making a break from Fields in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Bears possess the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and many projections have them spending it on USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams. Bringing in another signal-caller with an objectively high ceiling would be a direct threat towards both Fields' position in the room, and his future with the team.
Fields might be in luck, however. NBC Sports and "Football Morning in America" columnist Peter King believes the Bears will trade the No. 1 pick, rather than use it on Williams or anyone else.
"I suppose the Bears are going to trade the top pick," King said. "I know nothing, but that seems to be the way the wind is blowing."
King is of the belief that the Bears would be better off building around Fields, rather than starting over with Williams or another quarterback. In order to do this, Chicago should get a few picks lower in this year's draft in exchange for its first selection.
"What I say: The Bears could keep Justin Fields (and should), and trade the first pick down once or twice, and build the kind of supporting cast a team needs to contend," King said.
Should the Bears travel down their best available path (at least, according to King), Fields could be looking at a contract extension either before or in the middle of next season. Regardless of what happens with Fields, the Bears passing on Williams would open up a can of hypotheticals for the team and the rest of the league.
The 2024 NFL Draft will take place between April 25 and 27 in Detroit, Michigan.
