NFL Scouts Reveal Likeliest Team To Trade For Justin Fields

No, the Chicago Bears are not trading Justin Fields. Or at least, the odds heavily favor that being the case. GM Ryan Poles made it clear. The plan is for the 24-year-old to be the starter in 2023 unless one of these QBs in the upcoming draft blows him away. Evaluators don't think that is likely to happen. Each of the top prospects has exciting traits but also question marks. Still, anything is possible in the NFL. Some have speculated about how a Fields trade might unfold were it to happen.

A team of former NFL scouts for The 33rd Team debated this topic and believe one team stands above the rest as a likely landing spot if the Bears pulled the trigger.

It's no secret the Panthers are desperate for a quarterback. They aren't in the best position to land a top prospect in the draft. So trading for Fields makes sense from their perspective. They've already had loads of success with another uber-athletic black quarterback who wore #1 before, Cam Newton. It would be an easy sell to the fanbase. Chicago would take Alabama star Bryce Young first overall, then use the ninth overall pick from Carolina on standout Ohio State tackle Paris Johnson Jr.

Justin Fields isn't going anywhere.

The scenario itself is plausible. As trades go, it's fair for both sides though the Bears would probably get more than just the 9th pick in that deal. Regardless, it depends on one key factor. Poles would have to believe Young will end up having a greater career than Fields in the NFL. Anything is possible, but that is hard to buy from a purely logical standpoint. Fields is more talented in every category. He's already proven he can be a dynamic weapon that changes games. The only hurdle left is becoming a more polished passer.

Young was outstanding in that regard for the Crimson Tide. However, he was surrounded by future NFL talent that was often much better than the opponents they faced. His arm is not elite, and there are legitimate concerns about his size at 6'0, 195 lbs. Quarterbacks like that tend to suffer injury issues. Maybe he is the next Drew Brees, but Poles won't be willing to gamble his job on that. It makes far more sense to stick with Justin Fields, build the rest of the roster, and see how things play out for another year.