Insider Reveals Justin Fields Trade Chatter Has Increased

Rumors are flying everywhere ahead of the trade deadline. That is to be expected. Discussions are happening between several teams. While GM Ryan Poles indicated the Chicago Bears probably won't do much this year, it's hard to tell if he was telling the truth. If the right offer comes together, something could happen. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk recently stated there is some buzz out there that the Bears are interested in Washington Commanders pass rusher Chase Young. After watching their anemic defensive line last night against the Chargers, it's easy to see why. Then there is Justin Fields.

Confused? There have been no indications the Bears are interested in trading their starting quarterback. Head coach Matt Eberflus said Fields would return once his dislocated thumb had healed enough. However, league insider Matt Lombardo of FanBuzz dropped a nugget that is impossible to ignore. It appears some prominent people out there think Fields could be on the move as part of a swap with Washington for Young. The Commanders get a talent upgrade at quarterback. Chicago gets their desperately needed pass rusher.

Then Tyson Bagent starts the rest of the season.

Few moves could generate more job security, or excitement from the fanbase than a Commanders trade to acquire Justin Fields from the Chicago Bears.

Sunday, Pro Football Talk suggested that the Bears could be a team to watch in the Young sweepstakes. Meanwhile, a league source intimated during a Sunday phone conversation that a Young for Fields swap could be exactly what both franchises need.

"You have to remember that Ryan Poles didn't draft Justin Fields," the source told FanBuzz by phone. "Chicago is going to draft a quarterback with their top pick, Bagent looks competent enough to get them through the season, and you'd be adding an elite pass-rusher to fill a major need on the Bears' defense...

...Several sources, both agents and from teams around the league, believe that this trade deadline could feature a blockbuster move, or two. Perhaps a Young for Fields swap will be one of them.

Trading Justin Fields would be waving the white flag.

Plenty of people will say there's no way the Bears do this. Except they're forgetting the critical detail. Chicago is 2-6. Their fleeting hopes of an in-season comeback died thoroughly Sunday night in L.A. Poles has to start thinking about 2024. It's almost guaranteed that he will end up with at least one top-5 draft pick. Given how his team and the Carolina Panthers have looked this season, it could end up being two. It is a virtual lock he will draft a quarterback if that happens. Rolling with Bagent serves two purposes. It gives him a chance to play more games and maybe improve while also likely keeping them in the top-5 conversation.

Justin Fields has trade value. He has one year left on his rookie contract before the 5th-year option. He's significantly more talented than Sam Howell, who has played well under Eric Bieniemy. If he can do that for a 5th round pick, imagine what he might do for Fields. At the same time, the Bears get their pass rusher while paving the way for the next quarterback. It's a logical idea. Whether Poles or the Commanders go for something like that remains to be seen. The deadline ends Tuesday afternoon on the 31st.