An anonymous NFL executive has raised doubts about the timing of the Chicago Bears’ decision to trade quarterback Justin Fields, suggesting they should have held onto him longer instead of accepting a conditional 2025 sixth-round draft pick from the Pittsburgh Steelers last month.
The Athletic’s Mike Sando revealed the comments from the executive in a recent article.
“They almost got bullied or gave up. Their asking price was probably too high initially, and then when they realized the seats got filled, they had to lower their ask. I don’t understand why you would make that trade because if somebody has an injury or doesn’t get the quarterback they thought they were going to get, the ask will be higher.”
Former NFL analyst Chase Daniel echoed similar sentiments, proposing that the Bears could have retained Fields for a few more months or even until the beginning of the 2024 season, waiting for a potential contender to lose their starting quarterback to injury.
While this strategy seems logical on the surface, it overlooks the commitment Bears general manager Ryan Poles made to Fields, promising to act in his best interest.
Many anticipate the Chicago Bears will select USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams as the top pick in this year’s draft on April 25th. It’s widely believed that Poles wanted to avoid the potential locker room dynamics that would arise from having both Fields and Williams on the team, especially considering Fields’ popularity among current Bears players.
Rumors circulating during the winter suggested that a team might offer the Bears a first-round pick for Fields before this year’s draft, but it’s now evident that those rumors were far from accurate.
Fields is expected to begin the summer as the backup to veteran Russell Wilson in Pittsburgh, but he should have opportunities to compete for the starting position during training camp and the preseason.
An executive, while speaking with Sando, commended Poles for acquiring wide receiver Keenan Allen from the Los Angeles Chargers and for setting up a foundation to support Williams’ transition from college to the NFL.
However, it’s plausible that Poles could have secured at least a conditional sixth-round pick for Fields from another team after this year’s draft concluded.
Ultimately, the Chicago Bears may regret trading Justin Fields unless he fails to make an impact with Pittsburgh and becomes a one-season disappointment.
Want the latest NFL and NCAA Football analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click here. Interested in reading storylines and analysis about the NBA? Check out our partner NBA Analysis Network.
