The Chicago Bears seem set on their course at quarterback. GM Ryan Poles wants to start over at the position. He gave Justin Fields two years to make a strong enough impression. While the young man flashed loads of potential in that time, he never found the consistency as a passer necessary for a team to believe he could elevate them to a Super Bowl title. It might be time for both sides to have a fresh start. Chicago will take their preferred quarterback at #1 overall. Fields will be traded elsewhere.
There is only one problem. It appears the market isn’t cooperating. Multiple noteworthy veterans are about to become available when free agency opens this week. That could take several QB-needy teams out of the running for a Fields trade, drastically diminishing the options available to the Bears. Some fear Poles may not have any options left. However, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN revealed that the young GM isn’t bothered by the current situation. He believes things will work in his favor at some point. All he has to do is wait.
Some around the league are starting to wonder whether the Bears have any enticing offers. But one word was used by a source on the situation: “Patience.” The Bears aren’t panicked despite no deal reached for a Fields trade. If somehow Cousins and Mayfield re-sign with their respective teams, Chicago suddenly has potential leverage with Atlanta. Or if Mayfield leaves, does Fields jump into the fray with Tampa Bay? Letting a few dominoes fall is risky, but it also isn’t the worst thing.
Dan Graziano indicated that people already moving Kirk Cousins to Atlanta might be premature. Several indications suggest he wants to stay in Minnesota, and the two sides are still in constant communication.
If you’re already picturing Kirk Cousins in a Falcons uniform, you might be jumping the gun. As of the end of this week, Cousins and the Vikings were still talking, and while Minnesota hasn’t gotten its offer to the point Cousins wants it, I get the sense the Vikings are still very much in this thing. Cousins likes it there. His family likes it there.
It’s much the same in Tampa Bay with Baker Mayfield. While it is possible he hits the market, people around the NFL seem to think a deal will eventually be reached to keep him there.
As of late Saturday, the Buccaneers and Mayfield remained in talks but hadn’t progressed toward a deal. Multiple teams I’ve spoken to over the weekend predict Mayfield and the Bucs will land on a three- or four-year deal at some point in the next few days.
Cousins and Mayfield staying put leaves only Russell Wilson as the last viable quarterback on the market with proven starting experience. If he were to end up anywhere outside of Atlanta or Pittsburgh, then the push for Fields would pick up lots of steam ahead of the draft. That might explain why Poles and the Bears brass aren’t panicked about the situation. They aren’t operating on a tight deadline. Fields is under contract for 2024 at a cheap number. Keeping him wouldn’t hurt their finances in any way.
One thing we’ve learned about Ryan Poles is he usually has a good feel for how the market around the NFL will play out. He proved that last year when he chose not to dive into the offensive tackles, instead focusing on linebackers. While guys like Mike McGlinchey and Kaleb McGary got massive deals far above their true worth, the Bears scored T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds for almost the same money Roquan Smith cost. If Poles feels the Justin Fields market will come around, it is wise to trust his judgment.
