(670 The Score) The Bears have a potentially franchise-altering decision looming at quarterback, and it starts with Justin Fields.
In his pivotal third NFL season, Fields is playing out the closing stretch of the regular season as the Bears are currently in line to land the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by virtue of first-round selection they own from the Panthers. So what should Chicago do at season's end? NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler of the Athletic believes the Bears should select USC quarterback Caleb Williams and move on from Fields in a trade this offseason.
"A lot of people make it a player-to-player evaluation, and it's really not," Brugler said on Score Evenings with Gabe Ramirez on Wednesday. "This is a financial decision. This is an economic decision. If you're not prepared to give Justin Fields $100 (million)-plus guaranteed in a new contract – are you going to give Justin Fields $100 million-plus guaranteed? Because that's what he'll be asking for. If you're even a little bit apprehensive about that, I think the right move is to move on.
"If you're a Bears fan, you're rooting for Justin Fields to finish strong. You're just going to help that trade value. To me, Justin Fields is either going to be the starter or you're best moving on from him and turning the page. There's going to be value for him. You're going to be able to get at least one Day 2 pick, if not multiple Day 2 picks."
Fields has completed 64.4% of his passes for 1,587 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions in eight games this season. He has a 92.3 quarterback rating, which ranks 14th in the NFL.
In addition to the Panthers' first-round pick that sits at No. 1 overall right now, the Bears' own selection currently slots at No. 4 overall.
