Justin Fields Trade Market: Which Team Will Land the Bears QB?

The Justin Fields trade drama was tough to handle before the 2024 NFL Combine. It’s even worse now.

Flashback to just a week ago when Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles said he wanted to avoid living in the grey, he wanted closure on the quarterback decision, which by all accounts suggested a Fields trade was coming sooner than later. And while it’s only been a week or so since Poles said without saying that he planned on trading Fields, it feels like the opportunity for the Bears to ship Fields to a quarterback-needy team for a quality draft pick is fading.

Remember when the Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers were jockeying for Poles’ attention? Yeah, those trains have left the station. The New England Patriots? The Minnesota Vikings? Are there any legitimately interested teams left in the Justin Fields sweepstakes?

Here’s my take on where I think each team stands in a potential Fields trade.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings reportedly are interested in trading for Justin Fields, but it’s hard to imagine a trade offer good enough to convince Ryan Poles to send Fields to a division rival. It’s bad enough to send him to an NFC team, keeping him in the NFC North is malpractice.

Odds Fields becomes a Viking: Less than 10%

Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders are a logical destination for Fields because of his relationship with Luke Getsy, which by most public accounts is a positive one. However, the speed at which Getsy was hired after being terminated by the Bears suggests Las Vegas didn’t view the offensive coordinator as the problem with the Bears’ offense. That leaves Fields as the culpable party, and I don’t see the Raiders bringing the Getsy-Fields duo back together after two underwhelming seasons.

Odds Fields becomes a Raider: Less than 10%

Atlanta Falcons

I still think the Falcons are a likely landing spot for Justin Fields, but it all hinges on Kirk Cousins re-signing with the Vikings. However, all signs point toward Cousins favoring Atlanta, which would be a devastating blow to the Bears’ hopes for a quality return in a Fields trade.

Odds Fields becomes a Falcon: 25%

New England Patriots

The Patriots are a dark horse in the Justin Fields trade derby. They’re expected to cut ties with Mac Jones, and while it’s possible they’ll use the third overall pick on one of this year’s top quarterback prospects, their new front office may instead decide to acquire Fields at a discount. The infrastructure for a rookie quarterback to succeed isn’t in place in New England yet, making Fields a logical bridge with massive upside.

Odds Fields becomes a Patriot: 30%

Denver Broncos

Call me crazy, but I think the Broncos could emerge as the team that ends up with Justin Fields. Sean Payton will try his best to trade into a position to select one of this year’s top quarterback prospects, but I believe those efforts will fail. Fields might not profile as a perfect fit for what Payton does on offense, but what other options will he have in the post-Russell Wilson era? Desperate times call for desperate measures, and I could see Fields heading to Denver for a mid-round pick.

Odds Fields becomes a Bronco: 35%

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers are a team to monitor as the days march on. If they don’t agree to a deal with Russell Wilson, then there’s a good chance they’ll turn their attention to Justin Fields. Pittsburgh’s interest in signing Wilson means they aren’t shying away from adding a quarterback who can beat out Kenny Pickett. Fields is a great fit for what the Steelers like to do on offense, and he has a big fan in Mike Tomlin.

Odds Fields becomes a Steeler: 40%

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs are getting some buzz as a team that could swoop in and acquire Fields on the cheap. It would be a great career move for Fields to sit behind Patrick Mahomes for a season before re-emerging as a potential starting quarterback in 2025. Fields might need to hit the reset button in 2024, and Kansas City would be a great place to do it.

Odds Fields becomes a Chief: 20%

Seattle Seahawks

Much like Kansas City, the Seahawks would give Justin Fields an opportunity to sit behind Geno Smith for a season before taking on the pressure of being a starting quarterback again. There’s also the chance Fields steps in for an injured Smith and never gives the job back. Seattle is a stable franchise with attractive weapons on offense. If Fields ends up here, it could be a long-term home for him.

Odds Fields becomes a Seahawk: 20%

New York Giants

The Daniel Jones era has already crashed and burned, and there’s no doubt New Yorkers would be fired up for Justin Fields. The supporting cast isn’t great, but Fields’ skill set can offset that. However, the Giants are another team that could spend a first-round pick on a quarterback and may already have their sights set on a top prospect instead of Fields.

Odds Fields becomes a Giant: 25%

As of now, the most likely destination for Fields appears to be the Steelers, assuming they don’t reach an agreement with Russell Wilson. The mere fact that they’re showing interest in the failed Bronco is a breadcrumb worth noting. They are in the market for a quarterback, despite some of the pro-Pickett messaging we’ve heard lately.

After Pittsburgh, I tend to think the Broncos are the wildcard. I have a feeling Fields will end up on a team that no one has connected him to so far, the Broncos fit that description. But no matter where he ends up, the Bears likely won’t get more than a Day-3 pick for him at this point. Disappointing? Sure. But it’s also Exhibit A in the case for Caleb Williams at No. 1 overall.

There’s one last thing to consider: The Chicago Bears could hold onto Fields. It’s a theory that would’ve been laughed at a few weeks ago, but at this point, Poles may not have much of a choice.