2024 NFL Mock Draft: What if the Bears keep Justin Fields?
For months we’ve talked about situations and scenarios for the Chicago Bears moving on from quarterback Justin Fields and drafting Caleb Williams at No. 1 overall. But what if the Bears keep Fields? What if GM Ryan Poles does what he did last year and weighs the best players on the board against a strong trade offer from a team desperate for a quarterback?
Poles made the trade of the off-season last year by sending the first overall pick to the Carolina Panthers for wide receiver D.J. Moore and a collection of draft capital that included this year’s first-rounder that became the No. 1 pick.
Poles will get calls from opposing teams—he may already be getting them—who want a chance at superstar USC quarterback Caleb Williams. Will he listen to them after the strong play of Fields during the last two months of the season? Does Poles think that giving Fields more weapons could push him over the hump of inconsistency that plagues his game at times?
In today’s mock draft we’ll look at that exact scenario, and a few more that we’re hearing could happen.
1. Chicago (via Carolina)
The Bears will have no shortage of offers for this pick, but Poles does what he tried to do last year—move back one spot and control the board at No. 2 overall.
1. Washington Commanders (via Chicago) — QB Caleb Williams, USC
The Commanders, with a new GM and new head coach likely coming to work for new owner Josh Harris, send the Bears a collection of mid-round draft picks and DT Jonathan Allen (who will request a trade shortly after the season ends) for the No. 1 overall pick and the rights to hometown QB Williams.
2. Chicago Bears (via Washington) — WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
The Bears would be wise to put this pick on the clock, too, and force New England to trade a mid-round pick to swap spots and secure the quarterback they want in this draft. If I’m Ryan Poles, that’s what I do—trade back but don’t miss out on Marvin Harrison no matter what.
Harrison is a 6’4” playmaker and super clean wide receiver prospect. Paired with D.J. Moore and Cole Kmet, this gives Fields a trio of pass-catchers that will truly allow his game to elevate.