Justin Fields Trade Rumors: Falcons Still Favorite?
The Atlanta Falcons have been connected to pretty much every quarterback who could be available this offseason, but perhaps none more so than Justin Fields of the Chicago Bears.
Fields, the No. 11 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and a Georgia-native, has been on a bit of a roller coaster throughout his three years in Chicago, but he clearly has potential. He's an especially-effective runner, as he rushed for 1,143 yards and eight touchdowns in 2022. The former Ohio State star still has room to grow as a passer, but perhaps he can develop with a better set of weapons than the Bears have given him.
Atlanta has done more than its fair share of homework on Fields, to the point where there have been some reports of a deal being essentially done. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, though, the Falcons have done their due diligence on other quarterbacks as well, namely pending free agents Kirk Cousins and Baker Mayfield.
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"There's plenty of smoke around Atlanta and Fields," Fowler wrote. "Some around the league are wondering about the fit, thinking a Rams-influence offense under new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson could target a Cousins-style quarterback, while others say Fields' immense talent will be maximized in that scheme. As one league source put it, Atlanta has done enough work on Fields, Cousins and Baker Mayfield that the chances of coming away with one of them are fairly good."
That's all well and good, but of that trio, which one is the Falcons' top target. According to Fowler and fellow ESPN reporter Dan Graziano, it's actually Cousins, not Fields as many would believe.
"And as you said, Dan, some people in the league believe Atlanta will pursue Cousins," Fowler wrote. "As one NFL exec put it, that's probably one of the best overall free agent fits out there."
Obviously, there's a drastic difference between what Cousins and Fields offer. Cousins is the better quarterback right now (assuming he comes back strong from his Achilles injury), but with him turning 36 in August, he's not exactly a long-term option. On the other hand, Fields is much younger and could open up more possibilities with his mobility, but he's far less of a known quantity than Cousins.
With less than two weeks until free agency opens, it shouldn't be long until the Falcons' plans at quarterback become crystal clear.
