Quarterback Justin Fields of the Chicago Bears could have a fate intertwined with his team’s top pick in the NFL draft. There are numerous possibilities to consider, but one potential scenario presented by Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports involves a different outcome altogether.
In Trapasso’s mock draft, he envisions the Bears trading Fields to the Atlanta Falcons. In exchange, Chicago would receive a third-round pick (No. 74 overall) in this year’s draft, along with a conditional pick in 2025. The value of the conditional pick would increase if Fields plays a significant portion of the Falcons’ snaps next season or if Atlanta reaches the playoffs in Fields’ first year with the team.
Instead of selecting QB Caleb Williams from USC, as many expect, the Bears would trade away their No. 1 pick to the Washington Commanders. In return, Chicago would acquire the second overall pick, as well as the No. 43 (second-round) and No. 79 (third-round) selections in this year’s draft. Additionally, the Commanders would provide the Bears with their 2025 first-round pick and a third-round pick in 2026.
USC Quarterback Caleb Williams Linked to Chicago Bears Trade
In a surprising turn of events, USC quarterback Caleb Williams is now being linked to a potential trade with the Chicago Bears. This news comes after reports from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Adam Schefter, who have spoken with executives around the NFL. According to these sources, the majority of executives believe that the Bears will ultimately trade their current quarterback, Justin Fields.
While the exact details of the trade are still uncertain, it is believed that the Bears could receive a second-round pick in return for Fields. There is also speculation that two third-round picks could be included, with the possibility of one of them moving up to the second or first round based on performance. This would provide a similar value to a package consisting of a guaranteed second-round pick and a guaranteed fourth-round pick.
Another team that has been mentioned as a potential suitor for Fields is the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons, who hold the eighth pick in this year’s draft, are in need of a quarterback who can match the career timelines of their running back, Bijan Robinson, and wide receiver, Drake London. However, it is unclear if the Falcons’ pick is high enough to secure a top QB prospect.
In addition, the Washington Commanders have recently hired Kliff Kingsbury as their new offensive coordinator. Kingsbury previously coached Williams at USC, leading to speculation that the Commanders may be interested in trading up for the USC quarterback. If a reasonable deal can be worked out, the Commanders may reach out to the Bears to discuss a potential trade.
While it remains to be seen if Trapasso’s mock draft prediction will come true, there is a strong internal logic to his reasoning. It is unlikely that Fields will be the starting quarterback for the Bears next season, as sources indicate that Williams is the team’s preferred choice with the No. 1 pick.
However, there is a possibility that the Bears could be swayed by the performances of other quarterbacks such as Jayden Daniels of LSU or Drake Maye of North Carolina. If either of these quarterbacks impresses the Bears enough, they may be willing to trade Williams for additional draft picks over the next few years, including a first-round pick in 2025.
In Trapasso’s version of events, the Bears ultimately select Daniels with the second pick. Daniels, who won the Heisman Trophy, has shown great potential with 40 touchdowns and only four interceptions. Like Fields, he is a dynamic playmaker with both his arm and his legs. The key difference, however, is that Daniels’ contract would provide the Bears with five years of reasonably-priced play at the quarterback position.
While these are all speculative scenarios, the possibility of a trade involving Williams and the Bears is certainly an intriguing one. As the draft approaches, it will be interesting to see how these rumors develop and if any concrete offers are made. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.