The Chicago Bears find themselves in possession of the coveted No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, presenting a pivotal decision-making moment for the team.
The prevailing consensus suggests they’ll either utilize the pick to secure a new quarterback or leverage it in a trade to bolster their roster around Justin Fields, their current quarterback.
However, amidst these anticipated strategies lies a surprising third option, one that appears almost improbable at first glance. Chicago could opt to retain the top pick, select a quarterback—likely USC’s standout prospect Caleb Williams—and maintain Fields on their roster.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter recently revealed that this unconventional approach has indeed been a topic of discussion within the Bears organization.
“They have talked about the idea, as unlikely as it seems, of carrying both quarterbacks; taking the guy at 1, and keeping Fields. Now, will they get to that? It’s hard to imagine that. But that is a conversation that’s come up within the organization. They’ve talked about it. I’m not telling you they’re doing it, but they’ve talked about it. That’s not smokescreen. That’s a fact.”
While it remains highly unlikely, Schefter clarified during a pre-Super Bowl LVIII discussion that dismissing it as a mere “smokescreen” would be premature.
Fields, who joined the Bears as their first-round pick in 2021, has already showcased significant promise, amassing 40 appearances and 38 starts over his initial three seasons in the league.
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