Ranking NFL Teams That Should Trade for Justin Fields Ahead of 2024 NFL Draft

The Chicago Bears find themselves in a unique position where they can reset the clock at the game's most important position while still having a talented quarterback on the roster that multiple teams around the league desire.

Justin Fields has yet to develop into the player many projected when the Bears traded up for him with the 11th pick in the 2021 NFL draft. At the same time, the 24-year-old signal-caller has provided flashes of brilliance.

The idea of keeping Fields and then selecting another position altogether or trading out of the No. 1 overall pick serves as opportunity cost. Whereas taking a QB with the pick suggests a potential upgrade, longer financial flexibility thanks to a brand-new rookie contract and a reset after three disappointing seasons.

Besides, the Bears didn't initially expect to be in this position. The Carolina Panthers weren't supposed to be worse than they were a year ago. But they were. Chicago can take either USC's Caleb Williams or North Carolina's Drake Maye and finally build around the position properly. Keeping Fields past the beginning of the new league year (March 13) is simply inviting controversy.

"The NFL is unfair. That's just what it is," Bears tight end Cole Kmet said, per the Chicago Sun-Times' Jason Lieser. "If they find a better, cheaper option at any position, they're gonna do that. That's what they gotta evaluate, if whoever they're gonna take at No. 1 is better. That's what this business is."

Five franchises should be considered the strongest suitors for Fields. In return, Chicago can expect at least a second-round draft pick or possibly even a first.

5. Seattle Seahawks

Conor Courtney/Getty Images

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith

Multiple teams could be slotted in this fifth and final slot.

The Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers seem content with trying to re-sign their previous starters, Kirk Cousins and Baker Maker, respectively. The Tennessee Titans should consider the possibility over current projected starter Will Levis. The New York Jets need a fallback plan if Aaron Rodgers doesn't return to form (or return at all). The Denver Broncos desperately need a new quarterback, though Fields doesn't exactly fit what head coach Sean Payton wants at the position.

The Seattle Seahawks find themselves in an interesting position to consider the possibility.

Geno Smith has provided a wonderful story of perseverance, with two winning campaigns, an NFL Comeback Player of the Year award and two Pro Bowl appearances. However, the Seahawks were barely over .500 during that stretch. As a result, the organization chose to move past Pete Carroll as its head coach after 14 seasons.

With former Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald taking Carroll's position, the possibility of adding an athlete of Fields' caliber to give a Lamar Jackson-like presence in the offense may be quite tempting.

In fact, Seattle can save $13.2 million by releasing Smith and acquiring Fields. Currently, the team is in the red regarding the 2024 salary cap.

Clearly, the Seahawks don't need to press the matter since they have an established starter. At the right price, every avenue should be considered. Seattle may consider trading down in the first and taking the extra assets acquired to finagle a deal for Fields. Currently, the Seahawks don't own a second-round selection thanks to the Leonard Williams deal. Some work needs to be done, but the possibility should be explored.

Fields could benefit greatly from having a wide receiver corps as talented as the Seahawks'.

4. New England Patriots

Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones

When discussing the New England Patriots this offseason, everyone will reference one quote from an interview new head coach Jerod Mayo conducted with CBS News Boston when the subject of the third overall pick was broached.

"We're gonna draft the best player for a position that's very important," Mayo said. "You put the pieces together."

Obviously, Mayo is referring to quarterback.

However, the position can be addressed without specifically using the third overall pick. Perhaps New England isn't overly thrilled with its potential options after talking to USC's Caleb Williams, North Carolina's Drake Maye and LSU's Jayden Daniels throughout the predraft process. If the front office and coaching staff aren't enamored with anyone in this year's class, they shouldn't force the pick.

"The Patriots also need a quarterback," ESPN's Dan Graziano reported, "but there are people around the league who believe they are open to trading the No. 3 selection, moving back in the draft and addressing the quarterback position in free agency."

Fields is a solid alternative, with significant remaining upside. The same can't be said of the Patriots' current quarterbacks, Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe.

While both are 25 or younger, their potential is limited. Any team that takes either on as a quarterback option does so knowing they don't have the physical tools to compete at a high level.

Granted, Fields isn't a free agent, and the team must surrender a draft asset or two to get him. But some internal belief may exist that the Patriots must be rebuilt and aren't ready to compete at a high level in the near future—which they aren't.

As owners of the top pick in the second round, New England has some leverage, because it's an often sought-after selection. The thought of drafting Marvin Harrison Jr. with the third overall pick after sending the second-round choice to the Bears for Fields has to be extremely tempting.

3. Las Vegas Raiders

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Las Vegas Raiders general manager Tom Telesco (left) and head coach Antonio Pierce (right)

This is the point where Justin Fields shouldn't just be considered an option; he should be the preferred target.

The Las Vegas Raiders find themselves in a bind. The organization desperately needs an upgrade at quarterback. Yet the relatively strong finish to the 2023 campaign pushed the Raiders' first-round pick to 13th.

With the trio of Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels expected off the board quickly, the Raiders then have Michigan's J.J. McCarthy as the next-best option, though the likes of the Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos sit ahead of them in the draft order.

Something big is necessary for the Raiders to pull off a move that ends with a top prospect. Less will be required to take a run at Fields.

The 13th overall pick is far too rich. Maybe a trade-down occurs. Or the Raiders throw in extra selections along with their second-round pick. Whatever the case may be, Aidan O'Connell didn't do enough to assert his claim. Furthermore, the organization should release Jimmy Garoppolo with a June 1 designation and save $12.8 million toward the 2024 salary cap.

Interestingly, Las Vegas has as much insight as any team outside of Chicago when it comes to Fields. New Raiders offensive coordinator Luke Getsy spent the last two seasons in the same capacity for the Bears, which could be a positive or negative depending on the intel he provides his new team.

A certain level of comfort will be there if the Raiders do enact a trade.

Keep in mind: Outside of the top four quarterback prospects, Las Vegas is looking at Washington's Michael Penix Jr. and Oregon's Bo Nix as the next-best options. Fields is less than a year older than both.

At least Fields yields a potential big return compared to the Raiders' overall limited options, particularly if the top three quarterbacks come off the board with the first three selections.

2. Atlanta Falcons

Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (left) and running back Bijan Robinson (right)

The Atlanta Falcons have the talent infrastructure to win now. But the quarterback position severely hampered the squad over the last two seasons.

Ultimately, the handling of the position cost head coach Arthur Smith his job. With Raheem Morris now taking the reins, the Falcons must do what's necessary to upgrade at the game's most important position.

Taylor Heinicke or Desmond Ridder can be retained as the team's backup. But neither should start. Much like the Las Vegas Raiders, the Falcons sit too high in the first round (No. 8 overall) to trade a first-rounder to the Chicago Bears for Justin Fields, and they're not high enough in the order to land one of the top three quarterbacks, unless one of those current squads aren't sold on their options.

At 7-10 for three straight seasons, the Falcons are stuck in the muck of mediocrity despite an offense that features running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London, tight end Kyle Pitts and a top-five offensive line, according to Pro Football Focus.

It's time to put a legitimately talented quarterback in the cockpit and see how this potential fighter jet takes flight.

The Falcons failed to pull the trigger over the last two offseasons. The Browns won the bidding war for Deshaun Watson. Atlanta didn't even make an offer to Lamar Jackson, citing concerns over his longevity. Coincidentally, the team passed on Fields three years ago to select Pitts.

But a new approach needs to be taken under Morris and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. They must have a quarterback and a playmaker. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo, many around the league "connect" Fields to Atlanta.

But the Falcons are unlikely to sweeten the deal with a first-round pick, considering where they currently stand. Another team may not be as hesitant to do so.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers

Joe Sargent/Getty Images

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett

The Pittsburgh Steelers should have no hesitancy flipping this year's 20th overall draft pick to the Chicago Bears for Justin Fields.

Pick your jaws off the floor.

What are the Steelers seriously losing? A potential offensive lineman with that selection? Quarterback is far too important to waste away another season with subpar options.

The "City of Champions" is supposed to operate at a Super Bowl standard. Mason Rudolph and Kenny Pickett don't get them there. The proof is in their play. Both are limited options whose greatest upside doesn't even sniff top-10 quarterback status.

The Steelers continue to stack winning seasons under head coach Mike Tomlin, but the franchise hasn't won a playoff game since the 2016 campaign.

"We know that Pittsburgh is going to go out and get some type of quarterback," ESPN's Adam Schefter said during an interview on The Pat McAfee Show. "... Justin Fields, I know, Mike Tomlin is a big fan of Justin Fields. We'll keep that in mind during the offseason in the coming weeks."

Pittsburgh will consider multiple veteran options. The team could pursue Ryan Tannehill in free agency to reunite the 35-year-old with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Schefter mentioned Russell Wilson as another possibility. Considering that Tannehill is a free agent and Wilson will likely be cut, they won't cost the organization a draft pick, though their salary-cap charges will almost certainly be higher than Fields' this fall.

More importantly, Fields isn't a Band-Aid in this scenario.

The Steelers are good enough each season not to be in the running for the top quarterback prospects. Yet the three-year veteran brings ample potential, with two more years on a rookie deal (including a fifth-year option) and the type of athleticism Pittsburgh hasn't seen at the position since Kordell Stewart.

Smith can marry Fields' mobility into his run-first approach to expand a potent ground game and provide the runway for a devastating play-action passing attack.

Pittsburgh can go back to playing Steelers football and possibly compete at a much higher level. Those possibilities alone are enough to surrender a first-round selection.