Here’s what Justin Fields’ 5th-year option would cost the Bears

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields hasn’t done enough over the first three years of his NFL career to earn a lucrative second contract, but that doesn’t mean GM Ryan Poles doesn’t have a decision to make about his quarterback’s rookie deal if he decides to keep him instead of selecting Caleb Williams with the first pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

The Bears have until May 2 to decide whether to pick up Fields’ fifth-year option, which would give Chicago control over his contract through the 2025 season.

We learned what that fifth-year option would cost the Chicago Bears if they exercised it: A whopping $25.6 million.

Essentially, the Bears would pay Justin Fields a salary in the range of Geno Smith (low end) and Jared Goff (high end).

I’m sure plenty of Bears fans believe Fields is worth that price tag. And maybe he is. But the fact the team isn’t ready to commit to him over a rookie prospect, let alone give him a long-term contract extension, suggests exercising the fifth-year option would be bad business, too.

Hopefully, we’ll have a resolution to the Chicago Bears quarterback situation soon. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer said Friday that he believes the Bears will have the parameters of a Fields trade ironed out at the NFL Scouting Combine. Meanwhile, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio told Rich Eisen that he believes Chicago is more likely to trade the first pick over the next few weeks.

What seems the least likely is Justin Fields being guaranteed any more money from the Bears, be it a second contract or the fifth-year option.