The Chicago Bears once again have a decision to make at quarterback. After electing to trade last year’s first overall pick to the Carolina Panthers – passing on the chance to take C.J. Stroud or Bryce Young –, Justin Fields’ future in Chicago is murky.
Trading last year’s pick was an easier move for the Bears with Fields showing promise entering 2023. However, he hasn’t been great this season and there is a potential franchise quarterback at the top of the draft class in Caleb Williams.
Danny Parkins of the Audacy original podcast “1st & Pod” explained why he wants the Bears to “take a shot at greatness” by drafting Caleb Williams with the first overall pick.
“The Cubs fired David Ross, a good manager, to hire Craig Counsell, a perceived great manager. Justin Fields is a starting NFL quarterback. Caleb Williams has a chance to be great,” Parkins said (41:20 in player above). “Justin Fields maybe could be great. Maybe. But he still runs a lot. He still takes too many sacks. There’s a risk there.”
Fields now has an 8-26 record in his career with three wins in nine starts this season. He’s thrown for 1,810 yards with 13 touchdowns and six intercepts this year.
The third-year quarterback has shown flashes, but Williams’ upside may be too high to pass up.
“I think you have to take the shot at greatness if you want a shot at winning for a decade consistently in the NFL,” Parkins continued. “I will always shoot for greatness at that position because there is no modern NFL team that has been carried by a defense to a dynasty. It just doesn’t happen. And I want a dynasty.”
The Bears will likely pick first overall via Carolina’s pick as the Panthers are two games worse than the Patriots and Cardinals through 13 games. Chicago also has its own pick which is projected in the bottom half of the top 10.
“If the Bears had the fourth and the seventh pick, build around Justin Fields,” Parkins said. “They’re going to get the first pick so you got to take a shot at greatness.
“And oh yeah, by the way, I don’t think Ryan Poles or anybody would be the guy who passed on C.J. Stroud and Caleb Williams for a guy who’s not a sure thing. So I’m just preparing myself for that inevitability.”
If the Bears do end up moving on from Fields in favor of Williams it could create some waves in Chicago amongst the fanbase and the locker room.
“Justin Fields, an 11/10 leader, he is improving. He’s beloved in the locker room so there are going to be dudes in that locker room that are pissed that they trade Fields for Caleb,” Parkins concluded. “It’s a very tough spot, man. Honestly, and I know I’m biased being here, other than teams that can win the Super Bowl, to me it’s the most interesting story in the NFL.”