Justin Fields Could Be the Answer for QB Needy Raiders Amid NFL Trade Rumors

Chicago Bears starting quarterback Justin Fields remains a trade candidate, per Jeff Howe of The Athletic.

"There's been interest, and the market is evolving with other veteran free agents finding homes over the past couple days," he wrote.

One such free agent is Gardner Minshew II, who agreed to terms with the Las Vegas Raiders to join that franchise. Minshew played some quality football for the Indianapolis Colts in 2023 and had the team in a position to make a playoff push but fell just short of a postseason appearance.

With the Raiders poised to release Jimmy Garoppolo Wednesday, it leaves Minshew in a position to assume the starting job. While he played admirably a season ago, the idea of the gunslinger being the starter in Las Vegas does not seem realistic.

Enter Fields.

The explosive signal caller, who makes as many plays happen with his feet as he does his arm, is likely to be on his way out of Chicago, especially if the Bears opt to take Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft, and Las Vegas would be a perfect fit for him.

Like new head coach Antonio Pierce, Fields does not fit the mold. He has yet to pass for 3,000 yards in the NFL, has not thrown for more than 17 touchdowns in any of his first three seasons, and throws more interceptions than he should.

His ability to escape the pocket and make a big play makes up for some of the inconsistencies he has sometimes flashed under center.

Fields needs a coaching staff that can help him grow and evolve as a quarterback in the NFL, as well as playmakers to get the ball to, something he has not had an abundance of in Chicago.

Imagine how much more confident Fields would be throwing the ball to Davante Adams, who can also help Fields develop his timing and serve as an on-the-field mentor. The former Pro Bowler, and one of the best at his position in modern history, is a significant upgrade from Darnell Mooney and DJ Moore, with all due respect to those players.

Fields' intangibles make him a stronger candidate to start for the Raiders than Minshew, even if the latter had a better statistical 2023 than his more dynamic counterpart. His ability to make something out of nothing will always capture the attention of coaches and the fact that the Raiders have missed a big-time threat to move the ball when all else fails makes him that much more intriguing to the organization.

He is also in the fourth year of his rookie contract, which only counts as a $6 million cap hit in 2024. There is a club option for the fifth year, meaning the Raiders could make a trade to acquire Fields as a relatively affordable rental and if it does not work out for those involved, choose not to pick up that option.

Depending on what the team would have to give up for Fields, he is an incredibly affordable option, with enormous upside and potential.

Of the teams still looking for quarterback help, the Raiders are the one team who could most benefit from what Fields does well, especially considering that they lost running back Josh Jacobs to the Green Bay Packers in free agency and will need someone to pick up chunks on the ground to help run out the clock.

Fields can team with Zamir White and Ameer Abdullah to do just that as the dual threat that everyone in the AFC West would have to account for.