The Chicago Bears may not actually trade Justin Fields, but a recent trade proposal has the Detroit Lions not having to go all-in to get him.
With the No. 1 overall pick in April’s draft and the most salary cap space in the league, the Chicago Bears are in a pretty nice spot entering the offseason. So much so, the idea of trading quarterback Justin Fields and taking his replacement first overall is out there.
Warren Sapp is not exactly a noted NFL insider, but he stirred things up a bit last week when he said the Bears would trade Fields and draft Alabama quarterback Bryce Young No. 1 overall. All options are on the table right now for the Bears, as they should be.
Fields would garner interest from across the league if the Bears shopped him. Any team with a current or future question under center would have at least a passing interest.
Trade proposal has the Detroit Lions not having to go all-in for Justin Fields
As nice a season as Jared Goff had this year, if he’s the locked-in starter for the Lions very much beyond next season they’ve got an issue.
Cody Williams of FanSided recently put together a list of five Justin Fields trades the Bears could make and take Bryce Young No.1.
No. 4 on the list involves the Lions, and here’s the trade proposal.
Bears Get
2023 First-Round Pick (No. 6)
2023 Second-Round Pick (No. 56)
2024 Third-Round Pick
Lions Get
QB Justin Fields
As owners of four of the top 60 picks in April’s draft, the Lions theoretically have the extra draft capital to make some kind of notable trade–before the draft, or early in the draft. In a deal with the Bears for Fields, Williams entertains the idea of what amounts to an “inside the division” premium Detroit would have to pay.
Detroit would undoubtedly have to give up more draft capital than any other conceivable trade partner, which is a tough pill to swallow. At the same time, though, this team was on the cusp of the playoffs this past season with Goff under center and Fields would represent, at the very least, a talent upgrade. Moreover, the Lions would also still have a first and second-round pick to continue building the roster with.
But quite honestly, a first-round pick and a second-round pick this year along with a third-round pick next year doesn’t feel like a damn-the-torpedoes, all-in price to pay in a trade for Fields. No. 6 overall might be rich, but other than that…
The obvious question is what the Lions do with Goff if they acquired Fields. The answer is trade him at a peak in his value to team looking for a veteran quarterback. It’s unlikely a second-round pick could be recouped, but Goff’s contract is not an albatross from here on out to drive a trade price down either.
The chance the Lions entertain trading for Fields and abandon the “Goff’s our guy for 2023″ (and maybe beyond)” thing is remote. But as a general idea, it is a little bit interesting.