Flash Tizzle

Imagine an alternate universe where we end up with the Carolina pick after #5. We’d likely keep Fields and go on with the narrative of building around him. And I think most would’ve been content with that scenario. Whatever happens with the QBs at the top of the class, we are very fortunate to be in this position.

A source told ESPN that five teams in addition to Pittsburgh reached out to Chicago, and the majority of those teams had envisioned the former first-round pick in a backup role. Additionally, the Steelers had been in talks with the Bears throughout the week of free agency and reached out again after sending Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday. The Bears had an additional offer with stronger draft capital from a team with an established starter, per a source, but chose to send Fields to Pittsburgh with the hope of putting the 25-year-old in a position to continue his development -- first as a backup to Wilson and eventually as a starter. In Indianapolis, Bears GM Ryan Poles said he wanted to "do right" by Fields, which included not keeping him on a team with a rookie and finding a spot where he could continue developing. In Pittsburgh, Fields will have that chance. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39747405/nfl-justin-fields-steelers-bears-trade-russell-wilson

I’m so glad we’re past the Fields issue and can move forward. It has occupied the entire offseason and divided the city. I’d be happy with Williams at #1, Lathum/Olu/Al or Odunze at #9.

Poles was always on the wrong end of the deal. There was no option of keeping Fields if the Bears didn’t like the offers. I don’t know if this was all an attempt to “do right by Fields,” but if anything is going to motivate Justin it’s this weak return.

I think by evidence of teams not using the same strategy as GB suggests the NFL knows (for the reasons you listed) it’s not as simple as just sitting a QB and letting him absorb knowledge. Also, Williams (or whomever they draft) has the benefit of starting behind a team which should be in playoff contention. Not many QBs drafted #1 have that situation

Guys, just because they said Fields has been traded….doesn’t make it true. Poles is playing chess on another dimension, here. Why hasn’t he said anything yet?! Poles said he is building through the draft. And don’t you remember that picture of both of them hugging each other!? It’s because Fields is our QB1, and we’re trading our #1 pick (to avoid the future bust) for a HAUL.

Right, they’re not “shopping Fields”; they’re just answering phone calls from other teams shopping for him.

It will be very telling to see what the compensation is, Fields should bring something similar

I’d love for the Titans to be the one’s trading down out of the Top 10. They’re consistently linked to him.

Someone will take him in the Top 10. Whether it’s the Giants, or from one of the other teams (Atlanta, Bears, Jets) trading down.

Outstanding trade! I give Poles a lot of credit for patience here. My hot takes from a few hours ago have aged terribly. It would seem this places us out of play for Odunze at 9. Is a trade down inevitable now?

There’s no reason to throw everyone off, though. If we have to use the logic of, “this makes sense if A,B,C and D happens,” then there’s a problem.

It is becoming inexcusable at this point. What is he waiting for? There’s a lot of positions to be upgraded and there are only so many picks in the draft.

We should know from years of Rick Hahn offseasons that there’s rarely a master plan. Everything is as it appears. Sure it’s possible he is holding back from top tier FA targets because he is going to trade the #1 pick, and use the draft capital. But it’s easier to accept that than the alternative of not signing the best options in positions of need and high cap space

The narrative of passing over Stroud was building during the playoffs. In Poles address to the media after the season, he (understandingly) sidetracked questions concerning Stroud. Great, but internally I’d hope there were some discussions about what the Bears missed and how they can learn from it moving forward. Passing over Stroud is made easier to stomach given the mulligan of having the top pick in this draft. I can hear the response from people “it’s tough evaluating QBs,” “many generational QBs flop,” “Bears cannot evaluate QBs” whatever. They’re all excuses. It’s his job and if they cannot find the right QB, especially in this draft, then they deserve to be fired.

There’s so many people on social media delusional about the reality of what’s going on. If I was told there was some AI program inputing pro-Fields comments I would atleast have a valid explanation. Other then, “Caleb is a bust, Caleb doesn’t want to play for Chicago, trade for a haul and build around Fields.” I just don’t get it. Even if you genuinely believe Caleb is not a generational talent, there are other QB options. Are they busts as well? I know I’m not exclusively in a pro-Caleb camp, as much as the one where we get the right one. If they believe it’s Daniels, Maye, McCarthy, whomever; just get it right. If they REALLY believe Fields is the answer, so be it. But for the sake of Poles’ job security, none of those QB options better outperform Fields. Otherwise, Fields would have to take a massive step forward. And let’s say he does - you all know damn well we’ll be debating if he’s worth 30+ million, or would any QB succeed with the weapons the Bears have?

I’d think Poles. Especially if he personally let Fields know he was being traded and they were moving on. Now, if you were Poles, what do you tell Fields? He said he wanted to do right by him. Well, what is that exactly? Keep him around until someone is desperate?

I honestly believe that so much of their off-season plan was reliant on Fields bringing in at least a second round pick, and now they have to adjust without it. But unfortunately, they are already limited with draft capital outside of #1 and #9 You want to talk about setting up your QB for success? Sign a veteran and have Williams sit. If they value intangibles like a good locker room, don’t even allow an opportunity for a Fields/Williams QB controversy.

Yep. And I’d guarantee one of those two are trading up for McCarthy.

The only people fooled are a large percentage of Bears fans, who still want to build around him. And the random outspoken media personality.

Lol right, like Cease. We went from “wait until the offseason,” to “wait until the deadline,” to “wait until the offseason,” back to “wait until the deadline.”

This is such a bad look for Fields. No one wants him, atleast for the price Poles is asking.

God, please let this happen. I’d guess for a 3rd round draft pick and a 2025 conditional

If Atlanta signs Cousins, it’s between Vikings and Broncos. Terrible. And you can guarantee, between those two teams and the Raiders, someone is moving up for McCarthy. We may have to seriously consider trading him to be a backup QB. It’s not just a negotiating tactic, no one wants Fields. And if they are considering keeping him past the draft, it’ll be a disaster. “Wait until draft day,” “Wait until training camp,”Wait until the season when a starter goes down.” Unload the baggage and move on. We’re not going to pick up a 5th year option on him, so why have Fields playing disgruntled and looking over his shoulder?

I agree, but on the other hand if Mac Jones was bringing in a 3rd or 4th rounder we’d be pretty confident in Fields being worth atleast a 2nd. Cousins apparently makes his decision to test FA tonight. If the Vikings cant figure it out by tonight, he’s basically gone. You don’t let him hit the market knowing several teams will be interested.