Getty Quarterback Justin Fields (left) of the Chicago Bears talks with head coach Matt Eberflus (right) prior to an NFL game against the Las Vegas Raiders in October 2023.
The NFL trade deadline represents a significant crossroad for the Chicago Bears, and the team’s actions over the next week will reveal a good deal about its plans going forward.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report on Monday, October 23, suggested the path of least resistance, in which the Bears host a fire sale of some of their most attractive names — including that of Justin Fields. The end goal of the strategy is to secure the best draft picks possible in 2024, when Chicago can select a top QB prospect, then reset the development and salary clocks at the game’s most important position.
The Chicago Bears are staring down a franchise-altering decision. Armed with two first-round picks — including that of the [Carolina] Panthers — the Bears should have the opportunity to chase a prospect like [Drake] Maye or [Caleb] Williams. Doing so, though, would mean moving on from [Fields].
Chicago is at least a year away from legitimate contention, and adding to its 2024 draft cache would be advisable. The Bears could do exactly that by dealing impending free agents like [Jaylon] Johnson, Andrew Billings, Yannick Ngakoue, Robert Tonyan Jr. and Darnell Mooney.
Justin Fields May No Longer Fetch 1st-Round Pick in Trade
GettyQuarterback Justin Fields of the Chicago Bears remains sidelined with a thumb injury on his throwing hand.
Chicago already avoided one opportunity to reset at quarterback last year by trading the No. 1 overall pick to Carolina, foregoing the chance to draft Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud. Williams and Maye are perhaps an even more talented duo in this year’s class, which makes Knox’s suggestion an appealing one.
The Bears would have a more difficult time justifying a choice to trade Fields if the team was better (currently 2-5) and if Fields had been more consistent. Bill Barnwell of ESPN on October 19 described the QB as “unplayable” during the early portion of the season before acknowledging that he had come on in recent weeks. A thumb injury on Field’s throwing hand two games back stifled that progress, which has complicated the situation further.
I don’t have QB Justin Fields returning a first-rounder after a wildly erratic first six weeks of the season. He looked unplayable through the first three games but on point over the next two, and then he struggled before getting injured in Sunday’s loss to the [Minnesota] Vikings.
There would be plenty of teams interested in taking a shot at developing Fields, given his upside, but I would be surprised if Chicago was in the position to draft Williams and landed a first-round pick for Fields in a trade this offseason unless he looks like the guy from the [Denver] Broncos and [Washington] Commanders games over the rest of the season.
One reality that could hurt Fields’ chances of rebuilding his first-round trade value is how efficiently undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent played in Chicago’s win over the Las Vegas Raiders last weekend.
The Bears have no reason to rush Fields back if Bagent can keep them competitive. And if Bagent excels, Chicago might even have a mildly difficult decision on who to start once both players are healthy.
However, head coach Matt Eberflus said following last Sunday’s win that Fields remains the team’s starter and will re-assume the position once he is able. That return is unlikely to happen next week against the Los Angeles Chargers, as the Bears official website wrote Monday that Fields is doubtful for the game.
Bears Unlikely to Trade Cornerback Jaylon Johnson
GettyCornerback Jaylon Johnson of the Chicago Bears during an NFL game in October 2023.
Besides Fields, Johnson is perhaps the only other player Knox mentioned who could command a second-round pick ahead of the trade deadline. But that isn’t likely to happen.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on October 20 that Chicago is not enamored with the idea of dealing Johnson, who is easily the secondary’s best cover corner and one of the best in the NFL through seven weeks, per Pro Football Reference. The team’s opinion on Johnson likely only strengthened following his two-interception performance against the Raiders, one of which he returned for a touchdown.
Johnson told The Parkins & Spiegal Show the following day that his representation is currently in talks with the Bears front office about a long-term contract extension.
Most Impending Bears Free Agents Carry Day-3 Trade Value
GettyChicago Bears wide receiver Darnell Mooney.
The rest of the players Knox mentioned aren’t likely to command too much on the trade market. Ngakoue has only been a so-so pass-rusher this season (2 sacks in seven games), but is playing on a reasonable deal and could potentially fetch an early Day-3 pick from a contender in need of a specialist on the edge.
Mooney’s stock was considerably higher when the season began, though he has struggled this year with only 14 catches for 184 yards and 1 touchdown. Mooney still has the potential to become a legitimate No. 2 option at wide receiver, as he will turn just 25 years old later this month and is playing in only his fourth NFL season.
However, considering the leverage of the moment, it is hard to imagine a team wagering any picks on the first two days of the draft in a bet on Mooney’s future production. Similarly, neither Billings or Tonyan will fetch more than a Day-3 pick should the Bears decide to move them.