Justin Fields Rumors: QB Didn't Request Trade; Open to Bears Return But Bracing Move

With the NFL Scouting Combine wrapping up, the Chicago Bears are still under the spotlight.

Chicago has the No. 1 pick of the 2024 NFL Draft and the opportunity to perhaps select USC quarterback Caleb Williams, but that would leave current signal-caller Justin Fields in limbo. That is especially the case since a decision eventually has to be made about his fifth-year option for the 2025 season.

It could mean Fields is traded sooner than later, but ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Sunday on SportsCenter he didn't request to be moved and is "open to returning to Chicago if they want to do that."

Fowler listed the "usual suspects" of the Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers as teams with a "need" at the position that could be interested and noted Fields is still "bracing for a new home" even with his status still hanging in the balance.

He also reported Chicago "could probably garner a Day 2 pick in a potential deal" and called the start of free agency "a soft" deadline for making the move.

"There's plenty of smoke around Atlanta and Fields," Fowler wrote. "Some around the league are wondering about the fit, thinking a Rams-influence offense under new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson could target a [Kirk] Cousins-style quarterback, while others say Fields' immense talent will be maximized in that scheme."

Under normal circumstances, the Bears would likely have zero hesitation about continuing with Fields.

They went 5-3 in their final eight games of the 2023 campaign as he showed immediate chemistry with No. 1 wide receiver DJ Moore and took strides as a passer to go along with his electric running ability.

However, last year's trade with the Carolina Panthers netted them the pick that eventually became the No. 1 choice in this year's draft. That means a 7-10 team with a game-changing wide receiver in place in Moore and plenty of momentum after a strong finish has the rare chance to choose first and reset the quarterback-contract clock by taking a potential franchise cornerstone in Williams.

That would also allow the Bears more resources in the coming years to address other roster needs during a time that some of that money would have otherwise gone to a contract extension for Fields.

Getting something in return for Fields may still be the first step in that roster-building process for this offseason, but all that reality has generated at this point of the offseason is discussions.