Insider Doubles Down On The Justin Fields Trade Rumors

Jason La Canfora isn't the most popular person among Chicago Bears fans. The longtime insider, formerly of CBS Sports, has a reputation for making various statements about the organization in years past. Most of them haven't exactly been complimentary. He adds to this by constantly delivering information he considers accurate, only to be proven wrong more times than not. That is why his surprise statement in a recent tweet that Justin Fields was likely to be traded this off-season was met with sighs of exasperation.

Adam Rank of NFL Network decided to bring La Canfora on Sick Podcast to speak with him. Unsurprisingly, the Washington Post columnist took his opportunity to snipe Bears fans. He seemed unusually aggressive in his comments, offering a reminder of why it is difficult to like the guy. At last, Rank brought up the topic that everybody wanted to hear. What was this stuff about Fields? La Canfora didn't backtrack anything. He reiterated with a firm conviction that the odds are good Chicago will have a new quarterback in 2023.

Nothing has suggested the Justin Fields rumors are true.

At least nothing of actual substance. Some experts have stated that starting over with a new quarterback would be in the Bears' best interests. Fields hasn't shown enough progress as a passer despite less-than-ideal circumstances around him. It is better to move on now while you have the #1 overall pick and take your QB of choice. There is logic to the idea, but few with strong league connections think it happens. For one, the return in a Fields trade is likely to be underwhelming. Second, he showed improvement last season. There were stretches where he looked like a Pro Bowler. Wouldn't it make more sense to give him another year in the same offense with (hopefully) better players around him?

Maybe La Canfora is correct, but his track record says don't bet on it. The Bears have much better odds of getting a massive return for the #1 pick in a trade than moving Justin Fields. That should allow them to infuse the roster with more young, high-end talent. Fields is still young (24) and has two years left on his rookie contract. There is no reason to rush this decision unless GM Ryan Poles is certain one of these 2023 draft quarterbacks is a future superstar.