This week at the NFL Combine, there have been rumors circulating about the Chicago Bears and their quarterback Justin Fields. According to Tyler Dragon of USA Today, the Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Las Vegas Raiders have all shown some level of interest in a trade for Fields. This report follows Chicago General Manager Ryan Poles’ discussion about the uncertainty at the quarterback position and the potential of trading Fields. Poles emphasized the importance of doing right by Fields in any decision.
The mention of doing right by Fields raised eyebrows, particularly considering that trading him to the Atlanta Falcons, located just 25 miles from his hometown of Kennesaw, Georgia, could be seen as the ultimate “do right” move. NBC Chicago’s Josh Schrock later suggested that Atlanta might be the clear frontrunner if a trade market were to develop for Fields. A league source informed NBC Sports Chicago that the Falcons have reached out to the Bears about Fields, though the extent of those discussions remains unclear. However, there is an expectation that talks may resume during the Combine.
Reports regarding potential compensation for Fields in a trade have varied from a first-round pick to a third-round pick over the past few weeks. Poles, in his recent press conference at the Combine, emphasized that the Bears are still evaluating their options, but a decision is imminent.