Despite the Packers season ending abruptly, the NFL rumor mill is in full swing. The Packers will need to take chances and improve upon their roster this upcoming off-season to ensure a playoff run next year. While Green Bay might be focused on how they will improve their roster, other teams are focused on who will do the same.
Will the Chicago Bears move on from Justin Fields?
It may seem odd, but to some Justin Fields time in Chicago is already nearing its end. Recently, Mike Tannenbaum joined the Get Up crew to discuss the future of the young quarterback. The initial discussion concerned the fact that the Bears have the first pick in the draft. The crew asked for the perspective of the Bears’ general manager, as Tannenbaum was the general manager of the New York Jets from 2006-2012.
.@RealTannenbaum thinks the Bears should draft Bryce Young and trade Justin Fields.
Agree? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/2xSFajU2Mj
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) January 10, 2023
The suggestion that Tannenbaum made involved the Bears trading Justin Fields in order to draft Bryce Young. Young would then become their franchise quarterback, as he is seen to have more potential than Fields. The Packers and the rest of the division would face the Heisman winner twice a year. Tannenbaum believes that Fields’ current NFL value is a first-round pick and a third-round pick given the current state of quarterbacks. There are many quarterback needy teams, such as the Raiders, Colts, and potentially the Buccaneers.
Whether or not Justin Fields would go for that price is not the main topic of discussion however. Tannenbaum believes that Bryce Young is already on track to have a better career. Fields finished the year with 2242 passing yards and 17 passing touchdowns, along with 11 interceptions and an average of 7.1 yards per completion. The real success of Fields, however, is his prolific rushing ability. Fields led the Bears in rushing with 1143 yards and eight touchdowns, alongside nine fumbles.
The Packers’ rival has proven to be a worthy adversary when he balances his rushing and passing. Often, the young quarterback tries to make too much happen, or he is given very limited time behind his offensive line. The Bears gave up 58 total sacks last season.
Would a Justin Fields trade garner value for the Bears?
If the value for Fields is correct, it could make sense for the Bears to move on. Being able to add a potentially generational talent in Bryce Young as well as multiple other players could present an offer the Bears can’t refuse. Seattle is a team, in particular, that may look to add Fields if they choose to move on from Geno Smith. The Seahawks have the draft capital to pull off the trade, but the question of whether or not they will trade remains.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles has backed Fields by stating that he would have to be “blown away” to move on from the quarterback. It is difficult to tell whether or not the Bears will take Bryce Young and move on from Fields because of the quality of the team. The Bears have struggled to protect Fields and put more talent around him. Rather, the team has traded away his top defensive teammate and acquired a receiver mid-season. An influx of talent could provide a better environment for Fields, as he would have players who can protect and assist him.
The ability to protect and assist Fields can also result in the erasure of the hero complex. He won’t need to feel like he must score each time the ball touches his hands when more time is given to progress. Plays take time and getting in the habit of rushing results in mistakes. With the right time and investment, Fields can become a top quarterback in the NFL. However, Bryce Young is a hard talent to pass up, but it seems like the Packers will face Justin Fields in the 2023 season.
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