To start the 2023 NFL offseason, speculation grew around Justin Fields and what the Chicago Bears might do with the promising young quarterback. Chicago possesses the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and some had surmised that it should aim to trade Fields while starting over at QB with someone like former Alabama product Bryce Young.
Never mind the silly logic to punt on an electric 23-year-old player who showed a ton of potential in an almost impossible situation — why would the Bears trade a QB further along just to restart at the position entirely?
According to a recent report from Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the Bears aren’t even entertaining letting Fields go. GM Ryan Poles and Co. were apparently so impressed with how Fields handled his 2022 situation that they’d have to be “blown away” by a quarterback prospect in the spring.
Here’s more from Breer in an interview with SiriusXM’s Rich Eisen:
“My sense is that they’re going to move forward with Justin Fields and try to trade the first pick,” Breer said. “Could that change based on their evaluation of Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Will Levis, Anthony Richardson? Sure. But I’ve talked to enough people there that feel like … there wasn’t around Justin to get a really clean evaluation on him last year, and given what he had, what he did was really, really impressive.”
This would, of course, likely be terrific news from a Bears’ team-building perspective. There are prospective squads in the 2023 draft looking for their next quarterback of the future, and the Bears can more or less play kingmaker for them while getting a massive haul of assets.
In his first mock draft of 2023, our Christian D’Andrea has more or less projected the Bears to execute such a plan as they build around Fields. It looks like Chicago wants to see (or believes) that Fields can be a superstar with an improved supporting cast. Such an assertion, especially with what they can get draft-wise, is probably quite smart for the Bears powers that be.
NFL fans weren't shocked at the report the Bears plan to keep Fields and trade the top pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
There are reports the Bears are going to keep Justin Fields. I'd also like to report I'm going to keep eating pizza.
I mean, since we're just reporting obvious things now.
— Adam Rank (@adamrank) February 1, 2023
BREAKING:
The #Bears have reportedly decided to keep QB Justin Fields as their franchise QB and will trade back the #1 pick as reported by @AlbertBreer
In other news water is wet
— Bears Nation (@BearsNationCHI) February 1, 2023
I am so happy we can finally put the "Bears should trade Justin Fields" narrative to rest.
That being said, what is the value in showing your cards and lowering the cost of the 1.01? The Bears may have painted themselves into a corner with that unnecessary proclamation.
— Dave Kluge (@DaveKluge) February 1, 2023
People really thought the Bears were going to trade Justin Fields?
— Ryan Horvat (@RyanHorvat) February 1, 2023
The #Bears have decided to go ahead with Justin Fields as the franchise QB and will try to trade the 1st overall pick in the draft instead of drafting a quarterback prospect, according to @AlbertBreer
Fields impressed the Bears organization on how he handled the 2022 season pic.twitter.com/aliCw3F8xV
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 1, 2023
Expected. Now everyone can relax about weird Fields trades lol https://t.co/zQ9CG7MaTx
— Austin F (@PodGuyFuges) February 2, 2023
This was a no brainer for me! Continue to develop this young man and build around him. You have him on a rookie deal for at least 3 more years. If you can’t do it, you need an entirely new regime, top to bottom. #DaBears #My2Cents https://t.co/lli9ISKjN7
— Ike Reese (@Ike58Reese) February 2, 2023
Love this. I knew they’d decide on keeping him and reading the pick. It also wasn’t his fault on team construction. There’s a ways to go for that team but I believe in him. https://t.co/jgKOA8RWBF
— Phil Spain 🤫 (@philenespanol) February 1, 2023
Wow I really thought the franchise QB we stated was in fact our franchise qb would be traded so we could draft a QB https://t.co/EGy7mhNNLI
— Bryan (@BryanDraftHoops) February 2, 2023
grass is green https://t.co/zxtibaBgWk
— zach (casino enjoyer) (@ZachSkrzynski) February 2, 2023
BREAKING: Water appears to be wet.
More at 11, folks. https://t.co/nzVgipBgIl
— BK (@bvks____) February 1, 2023
This really shouldn't be news…
Fields had undoubtedly the worst situation in the league last year. Not just as a 2nd year QB but as a whole. Yet he still improved.
Now the #Bears have the most cap space & the No. 1 pick for sale. It's on Poles to surround him w/ talent. https://t.co/BDTEKJomod
— Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) February 1, 2023
Probably the smart move. Bears looked at all options, but the haul for #1 would be significantly higher. https://t.co/6ZIhxjJl9n
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) February 1, 2023
