There are numerous individuals in need of a quarterback in the tabloid-style format that Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles would be unwise to disregard the various enticing offers that will come his way before the NFL Draft on April 25. One of the most significant offers comes from the Washington Commanders, who have recently undergone changes in ownership, management, and coaching in an attempt to reset the team’s culture. With the appointment of Kilff Kiingsbury as the offensive coordinator, it is clear that Washington is desperate for a change.
Just a year ago, the Bears took advantage of the Carolina Panthers by acquiring a top receiver, this year’s first-round draft pick, and more, thanks to the patience of billionaire owner David Tepper. This kind of move can greatly accelerate the progress of a franchise, and the Bears have the opportunity to do it again. It would be different if Justin Fields was unable to make use of the resources provided by Poles, but D.J. Moore exceeded 1,300 yards and expressed his support for his quarterback in the process.
All Chicago needs to do is convince Washington that there are other interested parties willing to offer significant draft capital in order to secure the best quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck. New England and Atlanta could potentially present attractive offers. Additionally, leaking non-existent trades is a common practice in the industry, and it wouldn’t cost much more than a retweet and a Chipotle gift card to get insider Adam Schefter involved.
The Patriots have yet to find a replacement for GM Bill Belichick, which always leads to entertaining and potentially flawed decisions, especially for an ownership group looking to prove themselves after the departure of the “Hoodie.” While the Patriots may not have a player of Moore’s caliber to elevate Fields’ supporting cast to the best in the league, they do possess their own first to fifth-round draft picks for this year and the next.
The Atlanta Falcons have Drake London and Kyle Pitts, as well as valuable draft picks for this year and the following year. By generating interest and putting rookie Commanders GM Adam Peters under pressure from rookie owner Josh Harris, the Bears can wait for the best offer to come in. The Commanders already have Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, and Antonio Gibson, along with the rights to their best picks in 2024 and ’25.
The Bears experienced a similar situation last year, so Poles should be familiar with how it works. Chicago doesn’t even have to take on the salaries of veteran players if they choose not to. Trading either Fields or the draft pick for Williams should result in a favorable return, but the return for the No. 1 pick is likely better than a known and possibly undervalued asset.
Fields is still on his rookie contract for another year, and even if he performs at an All-Pro level in 2024, his fifth-year option is estimated to be around $23 million, which is significantly lower than what other quarterbacks are earning. By acquiring a multitude of draft picks and selecting talented players at a low cost, the Bears can avoid future salary cap issues.
Chicago is currently in a position where they must either win now or win later. How Poles handles this situation will demonstrate the confidence he has in the work he has done thus far. Opting to pass on Fields and selecting Williams in the draft would secure Poles a few more years in his position, but trading the draft pick is a riskier move as it carries higher expectations and Poles must still ensure that the selected picks are successful. The reward for winning sooner, with a player whom the city has already embraced, is likely a contract extension and even greater trust.
With that being said, if you are a General Manager and fail to recognize the obvious talent and potential that Fields possesses, or the improvement he made when given a top receiver, then perhaps it is you who the franchise should consider parting ways with.