NEWSLETTER
There has been so much noise surrounding Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears quarterbacking situation over the last few days, weeks, and months. And in an attempt to set the record straight (well, as much as you can this time of year), NFL Network Ian Rapoport shared a whole lot of worthwhile thoughts and pertinent information in a Tuesday appearance on NFL Network.
Check it out:
I think people are missing out on a lot of context, depth, and perspective by not sharing the full quote. So let’s dive into this because there are some worthwhile things to pull from that 1-minute, 27-second video from Rap Sheet.
What are the Bears doing holding on to Justin Fields right now?
One thing I appreciate about NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport’s coverage is the thoroughness of his reporting in these video vignettes. The video above isn’t even 90 seconds long, but it is packed with information. Part one of two notable quotes that put things regarding Fields and the Bears in a better focus.
Here’s what the Bears are doing. I know a lot of the talk has been about Justin Fields. This is not a Justin Fields discussion. This is a Caleb Williams No. 1 overall pick discussion. The Chicago Bears are committed to doing, and really what they have been committed to doing the entire time, is fully evaluating the quarterbacks who they could take at No. 1. — including Caleb Williams. They were at the Combine, they met with him there. They are going to be in full force at Caleb Williams pro day a week from tomorrow. They’re going to have him at the facility to visit with him.
They’re going to do the full evaluation. And at the point when they are then settled on taking Caleb Williams No. 1, which we expect but we don’t know for sure because this is too important a decision to just go we’ll take this guy and trade the other guy. Until all that, they’re going to do the full evaluation.
Rapoport saying that the Bears’ lack of movement has more to do with their continued evaluation of Williams and other quarterback prospects than any other factor. Re-read Rapoport’s statement if you have to if that is what it takes to let it sink in.
Ultimately, the most important takeaway from the section above is that the Bears are going to do a full evaluation of Caleb Williams (and presumably, the other top quarterbacks at the Combine) before they fully commit. That makes sense.
Maybe something comes up in the process while checking medicals. Perhaps there is an off-the-field incident. Remember how Jalen Carter’s stock dropped from being in consideration for the top pick to going 10th overall after his off-the-field issues propped up? Things can happen. So the Bears safeguarding themselves at this time is a logical step.
You don’t want to go all-in on a guy in March, have something pop up down the line before the draft, and force yourself into a pivot that you’re not prepared to make. This is called doing your due diligence. And I’m glad the Bears are doing that.
A new timeline for a Justin Fields trade
In addition to answering the Why haven’t the Bears traded Justin Fields? question, Rapoport gives us a new timetable to help frame our expectations:
When they settle on a quarterback that they are taking No. 1, and I do expect them to take a quarterback at No. 1, at that point they will then move to say where are we going to trade Justin Fields? Might this happen leading up to the draft? Sure, it could. History has shown these trades happen a lot of times leading up right before the draft or sometimes during the draft. Josh Rosen got traded literally during the draft when the Cardinals were on the clock in the second. That’s sort of the timeline for these things. But just because they’re not actively shopping him doesn’t particularly mean anything when it comes to Justin Fields.
But just because they’re not actively shopping him doesn’t particularly mean anything when it comes to Justin Fields.
I think a lot was made about that comment Rapoport made in a Monday video. And, apparently, that bit of scuttlebutt was much ado about nothing — per the guy who said it.
JUSTIN FIELDS TRADE WATCH: Is He Even on the Trade Block?
Early speculation hinted at the Bears angling to get a deal done before the start of the new league year. But with teams prioritizing (and landing) other targets, we’ve made it to this point where it makes more sense for General Manager Ryan Poles to wait it out until NFL Draft weekend. It would be logical to let the market come to him once draft weekend gets underway and QB-needy teams are left searching for options with Fields being a better alternative than whatever is left on the board.
In the end, this saga is far from over. But the messaging coming from Rapoport seems to be consistent with everything that has been said throughout the offseason. The expectation is still that the Bears will draft a quarterback. And when they do, then they’ll look to trade Fields. But we’ve still got time before we cross that bridge, so I hope you’re in a comfortable spot to ride this out.
