The Chicago Bears have a tough decision to make at quarterback this offseason. Armed with the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, GM Ryan Poles could decide to move on from Justin Fields and select USC star Caleb Williams, a prospect most NFL draft analysts deem near-generational.
He could also choose to run it back with Fields and trade the first overall pick for what Ian Rapoport described as a historic haul (at least, that would be the asking price).
But a third option has emerged thanks to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Schefter appeared on NFL Live during Sunday's Super Bowl pregame show and said the Chicago Bears have discussed keeping Fields, even if they draft Williams at No. 1.
Check it out:
Will the Bears take Caleb Williams at No. 1 in the draft?
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) February 11, 2024
"It's not smoke screen ... they've talked about it." —@AdamSchefter pic.twitter.com/iXDW7UYIkH
Honestly, I'd support keeping Fields if the Bears don't get a sensible offer. He's too good of a player to give away. If no teams are willing to part with at least a second-round pick, Chicago might as well hold onto a quarterback who nearly broke Lamar Jackson's single-season rushing record in 2022 and took some modest steps toward improvement as a passer in 2023.
Sure, it'd be awkward for Caleb Williams inside a locker room that's been very pro-Fields since the end of the regular season, but if the Chicago Bears want to guarantee they get it right at quarterback? Keep them both, and may the best man win.
The more likely reality, however, is that Justin Fields will be traded.
I expect a trade to happen shortly after the Scouting Combine, which gets underway later this month. The Bears have no reason to drag this out, especially if they've decided to proceed with Williams, which all signs indicate they have.
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