Bears GM would have to be 'blown away' to draft QB No. 1 overall over keeping Justin Fields

Now that the college football season is over and the NFL playoffs are set to being, there’s new speculation about the 2023 NFL Draft process for the Chicago Bears.

Former NFL GM Mike Tannenbaum already suggested the Bears trade quarterback Justin Fields, draft Alabama’s Bryce Young and rebuild that way, but Bears GM Ryan Poles pumped the brakes on that theory. After Fields showed a lot of promise in Year No. 2, Young, or any other rookie quarterback for that matter, is likely not on the Bears’ radar.

During exit interviews, Poles was asked straight up if Fields was their guy amid having the No. 1 pick and the possibility of selecting a new quarterback.

“We’re going to do the same as we’ve always done,” Poles said. “We are going to evaluate the draft class. And I would say this, I would have to be absolutely blown away to make that type of decision.”

Tannenbaum made the argument by saying Young has potential and the rookie contract for a quarterback would reset with a fresh face, rather than Fields going into Year No. 3, possibly pining for a new deal should he further develop.

“Yeah, I would trade Justin Fields,” Tannenbaum said. “And I’m taking nothing away from him. I think he’s a good, maybe a top-10 quarterback. But if you can get at least a first and a third-round pick, which I believe you can. Because so many teams need a quarterback, I’m going to draft Bryce Young, who I think is going to be a better quarterback than Justin Fields. And when I do that I get at least a first and a third-round pick.

“I’m resetting Bryce Young’s rookie contract and I’m going to be able to get at least four starting caliber players. A great illustration of what happened in Jacksonville. Trevor Lawrence is on his rookie deal, they go out and get guys like Christian Kirk, Brandon Scherff, Evan Engram, amongst others. So if I can turn Justin Fields basically into six quality players and get Bryce Young, who I think will be the better player, I’m making that move if I’m the Bears.”

There’s no doubt Young had a historic college career, capping it off with a Sugar Bowl victory over Kansas State. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2021 en route to a national championship appearance.

Young finished his college career with 8,356 yards, 80 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and a 65.8% completion percentage.

A 3-14 record was not exactly what the Bears wanted in 2022, but Fields took major steps forward under a new regime. After tossing seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions last season, Fields elevated his passing game despite the lack of weapons. Plus, his run game was outstanding, getting up to No. 2 all-time for most rushing yards in a season by a quarterback.

Fields finished his season (15 games) with 2,242 yards, 17 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, a 60.4% completion percentage, 1,143 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns.