Opinion: The Argument for the Bears Keeping Justin Fields

The argument seems to be gaining strength

Justin FieldsPhoto byCreative Commons: The ozone

For a period of time after the Bears’ season ended, sentiment as to whether the Bears should keep Justin Fields or draft Caleb Williams was pretty much divided. However, recently, the sentiment among Chicago media types and fans seems to have swung towards drafting Williams.

And while I’m okay with that, it many ways it makes more sense, at least to me, to trade the pick and get a haul of draft picks. And support for that course of action seems to be gaining traction.

Think of what the Bears could do with the draft choices

Say the Bears traded down one slot to the Commanders. They could conceivably get the second overall choice, plus a second-round pick in 2024, plus another first round in 2025. Maybe more.

One thing I would like to see the Bears do is draft Marvin Harrison Jr. Team him with D. J. Moore and Keenan Allen and you have perhaps the best corps of WRs in the NFL. Add in TEs Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett plus RB, D’Andre Swift and you have the most dynamic Bears’ offense I can remember.

The Bears have a few holes to fill, and those extra draft choices would help fill those.

But Caleb Williams is a generational talent!

Maybe. But NFL generations have the longevity of fruit flies. Marvin Harrison Jr. is also considered a generational talent. If Caleb William’s ceiling is Patrick Mahomes, then Marvin Harrison Jr. ceiling is Jerry Rice.

I think Marvin Harrison Jr. is more likely to reach his ceiling than Caleb Williams.

Plus, the Bears could add more premium players in the draft.

But the Bears will have to pay Justin Fields

All good players have to be paid. The Bears could conceivably have two first round picks and two second round picks in 2024, as well as two first round picks and three second round picks in 2025. The Bears could get a group of good players on rookie contracts. That could help offset the cost of paying Fields by having other stars on rookie contracts.

But what if Fields is bad and Williams is good?

Then use the 2025 draft capital to address the QB situation.

But the NFL thinks Fields stinks

I’ve heard NFL pundits say Fields has little value because other teams have traded for lesser talents then him, ergo, Fields stinks.

Here’s an alternative to that theory. The Bears aren’t ready to get rid of Fields. Either they haven’t sold themselves completely on Williams, or they are waiting for his medicals. Or maybe they are keeping Fields.

How do players feel about Fields?

They love him. D. J. Moore has been outspoken in his support of Fields. In addition, newly acquired Keenan Allen and D’Andre Swift also spoke highly of Fields.

Keenan Allen, when asked who he looked forward to playing with replied, “Justin Fields.”

Swift who as with Fields at Georgia said, “Justin’s my guy.”

Game knows game.

Fields doesn’t produce in the fourth quarter

The numbers are bad. And some or that is on Justin. But what if Tyler Scott catches that long pass in Detroit? What if Darnell Mooney actually catches that Hail Mary pass in Cleveland instead of gift wrapping it to a Browns defender? I suspect those numbers climb a bit.

It’s not like there aren’t at least some concerns with Williams

First of all, he’s a rookie, so nothing is guaranteed. What about the medicals? How will he deal with success or failure in the NFL? How will he do as a teammate in the NFL?

At this point, no red flags have been reported, and there likely won’t be, but still, it’s a consideration.

At least point there is the knowledge that Fields can perform at least at a decent level in the NFL.

If Poles trades the pick, he will have passed on three Heisman trophy winners

Who cares? Winning a Heisman Trophy is far from a guarantee of NFL success. Plus, Ryan Poles doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who operates out of fear.

Regardless, if the Bears roll with Fields or Williams, they should be at least a playoff contender in 2024.

The Bears continue to be the most interesting team in the NFL.