Bears' Justin Fields Trade? How Falcons Could Bring Georgia Native QB Home
Whether Arthur Smith is back as coach or not, priority No. 1 for the Atlanta Falcons this offseason will be to find an answer at quarterback. It's clear that won't come internally with either Desmond Ridder or Taylor Heinicke.
CBS Sports recently proposed an interesting solution: the Falcons send their second and fourth-round picks in the 2024 NFL Draft to the Chicago Bears for quarterback Justin Fields. Under this scenario, the Bears would have to use the No. 1 overall pick -- which they will have via the Carolina Panthers -- on either USC's Caleb Williams or North Carolina's Drake Maye. It's not yet clear if the Bears will do that given that Fields is finishing his third NFL season on a strong note. But if Chicago general manager Ryan Poles makes a change at quarterback, there would certainly be interest in Fields on the trade market.
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Fields continues to grow as a passer, having tossed 16 touchdowns to nine interceptions in 2023, along with 2,414 passing yards. On the ground, Fields is one of the NFL's elite running quarterbacks, along with Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens, Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills and Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles. Across three NFL seasons, Fields has rushed for 2,193 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Just last week, Fields threw for a touchdown and ran for a score as well in 37-17 blowout victory by the Bears over the Falcons.
There are still some concerns to be had about Fields, from his durability to just how high his ceiling is as a passer. But for a quarterback-needy team like the Falcons -- one who won't be in position to select Williams, Maye or Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels unless they make a megadeal to move up -- Fields would be very attractive. Trading second and fourth-round picks would be affordable compared to what it would cost the Falcons to move up into one of the top three selections in this year's draft.
If Atlanta traded for Fields, they would presumably exercise his fifth-year option, giving them two years to evaluate whether he's their long-term answer at the position or not. The Kennesaw, Georgia native would have the chance to play for his home-town team, who have quite a few young skill-position stars, such as tight end Kyle Pitts, receiver Drake Maye and running back Bijan Robinson.
Additionally, the Falcons wouldn't be dealing a first-round pick in this scenario, either this year or next year. While quarterback is the top priority, the Falcons badly need to add impact pass rushers, and keeping first-round picks in 2024 and 2025 might allow them to do that.
Fields still isn't a sure thing, and it's possible that the Bears ultimately decide to keep him and trade out of the top pick for the second consecutive year. But if Fields is shopped, the Falcons would appear to be as good of a fit as any team.
