Jets Potential Trade Partner for Bears Justin Fields After Rodgers Vice President Rumors?
Could Decision 2024 lead to “Green Fields” in the Meadowlands?
Amid the recent rumors of New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers being on the short list of potential 2024 running mates for third-party Presidential hopeful Robert F. Kennedy, Jr, Gang Green may soon find renewed interest in securing more than a sufficient backup at the position.
Accordingly, The Athletic recently floated an idea which would more than satisfy the Jets’ need for insurance at the position, should “Mr. Rodgers go to Washington,” so to speak — trade for Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields.
“Fields to the Jets makes more sense than Rodgers to the White House,” wrote The Athletic’s Jon Greenberg.
Credit: Chicago Sun-Times Images
Despite the Jets’ recent addition of veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor (assumed to be Rodgers’ primary understudy for the upcoming season,) the need to add an additional piece to the positional depth chart may still exist — especially if the 40-year-old’s political aspirations send him to the campaign trail as opposed to the practice fields in the coming months.
While the introduction of Fields into a quarterback room consisting of both Rodgers and Taylor may seem both excessive and potentially problematic, it could provide New York with short-term security. Additionally, it could also become a potential long-term solution.
Fields, a highly-touted quarterback prospect from Ohio State, was selected No. 11 overall by the Bears in 2021. During his time in the Windy City, he displayed flashes of high-level ability, but was unable to maintain the consistency to be considered among the NFL’s top quarterbacks. In 40 games with the Bears over three seasons, Fields has completed 578 passes for 6,674 yards with 40 touchdowns and 30 interceptions. He has also run for 2,220 yards on 356 carries for 14 rushing scores. Fields set an NFL record in Nov. 2022 for most rushing yards by a quarterback in a single game with 178 against the Miami Dolphins.
Fields’ continued struggles with accuracy pocket presence have forced him out of favor with the Bears coaching staff and front office. Despite his connection to trade rumors for much of the offseason, Chicago has yet to receive an offer commensurate with their asking price. As a result, the Jets could make an appealing offer to secure a quarterback with both immediate and extended benefits.
From that perspective, The Athletic’s proposal does not seem excessively far-fetched.
“The Bears could conceivably get a fourth-round draft pick in 2024 (or maybe a better pick in 2025) from the Jets for Fields,” Greenberg wrote. ”We know the market isn’t exactly scorching for Fields, who has shown promise in three seasons with the Bears but not enough to pass up on the opportunity to draft Caleb Williams with the first overall pick.”
While the scenario remains remote at best, Fields’ ability to succeed in the proper setting makes him an attractive candidate to any team in need of a quarterback — including the Jets.
“I think he can succeed, perhaps even thrive, in the right situation,” Greenberg added. “But his path is likely signing with a team as a backup or bridge quarterback.”
Rodgers was traded to New York, along with the Packers' first and fifth-round selections in the 2023 NFL Draft, in exchange for the Jets' first, second and sixth-round selections in the 2023 draft and a conditional second-round selection in 2024.
However, he suffered a ruptured Achilles on just his fourth offensive snap of the season. Though he missed the nearly the entirety of his first season in New York, Rodgers is hopeful to be ready for the start of training camp in June.
The Jets are also attempting unload former 2021 first-rounder (No. 2 overall) Zach Wilson via trade.
They say politics makes strange bedfellows. In this case, it may also make for some interesting decisions on the gridiron this season.
