As NFL QB market develops, Bears should be patient with Justin Fields decision

Carmen Vitali

NFC North Reporter

The Chicago Bears were the main topic of NFL Combine week in Indianapolis for a second consecutive year.

Why shouldn’t they be? They have the first overall pick in the draft yet again and a quarterback due a sizable amount of money very soon on their roster. 

However, a decision on Justin Fields’ future likely isn’t coming soon.

“Contrary to the reports out there, I have no master plan to present today,” said Poles to reporters in Indy. “This is an opportunity for us to continue to gather information, learn about the different players in the draft, listen to what opportunities could come up and then at the end of the day, we’re going to make the best decision that we can for the Chicago Bears.”

How diplomatic.

Last year, general manager Ryan Poles traded the No. 1 pick a week after the combine. He got what he wanted in the form of a star receiver in D.J. Moore from the Carolina Panthers, along with a great deal of draft capital — including this year’s first overall pick. Given the unique position the Bears are now in, and the caliber of quarterbacks in this year’s class, moving on from Fields makes too much sense. At least, that was the sentiment from NFL brass in Indianapolis hotel bars and various restaurants.

But what was also pointed out is the market for Fields — or rather, the lack thereof. It doesn’t seem to be as robust as perhaps Poles would want. The compensation ceiling I’ve had relayed to me by league sources is somewhere around a third-round pick for the former first-round quarterback. 

A team willing to do that deal at all hasn’t clearly materialized, though. It likely won’t either until some other quarterback dominos fall, namely Kirk Cousins and Baker Mayfield.

With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers locking up wide receiver Mike Evans for the next two years, it seems only logical their next order of business is Mayfield. But after leading Tampa to the…

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Publish date : 2024-03-04 22:45:39

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