The Chicago Bears are the talk of the NFL offseason as they stare down a franchise-altering decision at quarterback. Do they run it back with Justin Fields or use the first overall pick to draft their rookie of choice?
It sounds like they’re nearing a decision. According to Albert Breer, the Bears are finalizing their plans at quarterback ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine next week.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio appeared on the Rich Eisen Show Wednesday, where he shed an interesting light on what that timeline could mean for Chicago’s quarterback decision — and how it could indicate that trading the top pick is still on the table.
“When I saw Albert Breer’s report from Monday that the Bears expect to have their plan in place next week at the Scouting Combine, my first thought was: Does that mean they’re trading the first overall pick?” Florio said. “Because how can you have a final plan in place, that you’re going to trade Justin Fields and take Caleb Williams, if that’s who they would take, until you’ve done all of your proper due diligence on which of the quarterbacks you would take with that first overall pick.
“It made me think that they’re hoping to set up something like they did last year, where they trade that No. 1 overall pick and get a lot in return. Possibly a first-round pick next year that becomes the No. 1 overall pick again, like last year’s did.”
What is #DaBears timeline be on making a decision on Justin Fields and the #1 pick in the #NFLDraft?#NFL #NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/xyysPfsYQ5
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) February 21, 2024
Florio noted that there might be some bias in there considering he believes the Bears should keep Fields and trade the pick.
“I think they should see what his ceiling is, and they should take that huge lottery ticket that is the first overall pick and turn it into as many players as possible. Because we know, Rich, there’s no guarantee any draft pick is going to pan out.”
But it is interesting that the Bears would finalize their quarterback plan without getting a chance to meet with the prospects at the Combine. Especially after general manager Ryan Poles indicated that an important part of the evaluation is getting to know the person, something teams aren’t able to do until the Combine next week.
While the expectation is Chicago will trade Fields and use the No. 1 pick on a quarterback, most likely Caleb Williams, nothing is set in stone. And no one knows for sure what the Bears are going to do.
“One of the reasons I think Justin Fields is getting frustrated, he wants to know what’s going on, we all want to know what’s going on and that is a testament to how well the Bears are keeping the cards close to the vest,” Florio said. “Nobody knows what they’re going to do. That’s the best strategy for the Bears.”
Buckle up, folks, because the Combine is shaping up to be a busy one.
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