Atlanta Falcons emerging as top trade partner for Justin Fields

The Chicago Bears are expected to trade quarterback Justin Fields at some point before the start of NFL free agency (the legal tampering window opens on March 11). With several quarterback-needy teams potentially in the mix for the former first-round pick, the Atlanta Falcons are emerging as the favorite early during the NFL Combine.

NBC Sports Chicago’s Bears insider Josh Schrock wrote that a league source told him the Falcons have checked in with the Bears about Fields. While it’s unclear how deep those conversations went, Atlanta will definitely have interest in the hometown star.

New Falcons coach Raheem Morris spoke with CBS Sports and emphasized his team’s desire to add a quarterback who’s not only talented on the field but also capable of making an impact with the local community.

The connection to Justin Fields is obvious.

Who do you think Raheem Morris is talking about, #Bears fans? pic.twitter.com/YosQb4p5wi

— Bears Talk (@TheBearsTalk) February 28, 2024

The Fields-to-the-Falcons trade scenario has made total sense since the moment the Chicago Bears secured the first overall pick, and I believe it will come to fruition sooner rather than later.

If I were a betting man (which I’m not), I’d put money on the #Bears sending Justin Fields to the Falcons for two 2nd round picks sometime in the next 10 days.

— Bryan Perez (@BryanPerezNFL) February 28, 2024

At this point, Bears fans should ask themselves what kind of trade compensation Chicago can get from the Falcons for Fields.

I doubt Ryan Poles can squeeze the No. 8 overall from the Falcons for Fields, but there’s a chance he’ll be able to swap first-round picks (No. 9 for No. 8) and add Atlanta’s second-round pick, No. 43 overall, in a deal. There’s a non-zero chance he could land a mid-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, too.

I’d be thrilled with a trade like that. Chicago would probably still be out of reach for one of the top receivers at No. 8, but with the Falcons no longer a threat to take whichever quarterback falls to that pick, the Bears could trade back again and continue adding to their arsenal of draft picks while having Caleb Williams in place.

It’d be a huge win.

As for Justin Fields, he’d get a chance to reboot his career with his hometown team on a roster loaded with offensive skill talent. A backfield of Fields and Bijan Robinson is downright scary. There’s no doubt Atlanta Falcons fans would be thrilled with his addition.

Stay tuned. I don’t think it’ll be long before we have an answer to the Chicago Bears’ biggest offseason question.