The Falcons’ Strategy to Obtain Quarterback Justin Fields from the Bears
The Atlanta Falcons might consider participating in trade discussions for Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields.
As the season’s conclusion looms, attention is turning to the Chicago Bears and their decisions regarding the No. 1 overall pick. The possibility exists for the Bears to trade the top selection for the second consecutive year, or they might opt to select USC quarterback Caleb Williams, who is currently the frontrunner for the No. 1 overall pick.
If the Bears choose Williams, it could potentially pave the way for a Justin Fields trade. Spotrac suggests that the Atlanta Falcons could be a viable candidate for such a trade. In a proposed scenario, the Falcons would offer a second-round pick in the current year and a 2025 second-round pick, with incentives that could escalate to a first-rounder based on performance and playing time, in exchange for Fields.
Spotrac notes, “Young QB of the future Desmond Ridder was benched multiple times in favor of Taylor Heinicke, who completed less than 60% of his passes with a rating somewhere in the 80’s. It’s a bleak outlook for an otherwise fairly talented roster, begging for an expensive quick fix this March.”
The Chicago Sun-Times reports that the Falcons may be scouting Fields this week, indicating their interest in having him become the next quarterback in Atlanta.
Acquiring Fields could be viewed as a corrective measure for the Falcons following the 2021 NFL Draft. Despite holding the No. 4 overall pick, the Falcons, led by coach Arthur Smith and general manager Terry Fontenot, chose to go in a different direction. In a draft where the top three picks were all quarterbacks—Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, and Trey Lance—the Falcons had the opportunity to select Justin Fields, a local product who had attended Falcons games in high school. However, they opted for Florida tight end Kyle Pitts, a choice that yielded immediate dividends with a Pro Bowl nod for Pitts but has also left the team dealing with inconsistent quarterback play.
While securing Fields would likely come at a significant cost, the potential trade could provide the Falcons with a solution to their quarterback challenges, bringing Fields back to his hometown of Atlanta during the upcoming offseason.
