The Chicago Bears control how the 2024 off-season will go for the NFL. Much of this is because they hold the #1 overall pick in the draft and teams aren't sure what they plan to do. Most believe GM Ryan Poles will stay put, unlike last year, and take his preferred quarterback. Presuming that is the case, the focus then shifts to what will happen with Justin Fields. He's still under contract for another year at an affordable price. Everybody thinks the Bears will trade him. What nobody can agree on is what they will get in return.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network has spoken on this subject at length over the past couple of weeks. From what he's heard, the Bears are in a terrific spot. How much so? He spoke to Waddle & Silvy on ESPN 1000 about the situation. Their leverage is such that there is no real sense of urgency to get a deal done. Poles knows he can hang onto Fields for as long as he wants because of the cheap contract. It is a matter of waiting until another team makes an offer he will be happy with.
The Justin Fields market is unique for the Bears.
Unlike other instances where an expiring contract may force a team to move quickly, there is no such concern here. Chicago has the option of keeping Fields for the 2024 season if they wish. It's not like his deal is weighing down their books. They know that $3.2 million number and his tantalizing talent will be something other teams won't be able to resist. The improvement he showed down the stretch of last season should only sweeten the pot further. All they need is for somebody to get desperate. That is when Poles will strike.
Gauging all of this, there is a possibility the Bears could wait until the dust settles with the top free agent quarterbacks. Kirk Cousins and Baker Mayfield need to find their homes for this season. Russell Wilson will also likely get released. Once those guys get settled somewhere, the Bears will have a much clearer idea of what Justin Fields' market is. It will also increase the sense of urgency for those teams, knowing they likely have no shot at any of the top quarterbacks in the draft.
