‘Let Me Know!’ Ex Ohio State QB Justin Fields Talks Future With Bears.

Justin Fields doesn’t want to leave the Chicago Bears. Even if he doesn’t follow the team on social media, it doesn’t mean he wants to be playing elsewhere. The former Ohio State quarterback joined the St. Brown Bros podcast Wednesday to discuss his future with the organization into the 2024 season. When asked what he wants, Fields answered if the power was in his hands, he’d stick around in the Windy City for Year 4. “I enjoy the city. The city is lighted,” stated Fields. “The fans there, they’re wonderful. The people, too. But it’s a business. I ain’t got no control over it, so whatever occurs happens. But I feel like the biggest issue with all this going on right now is that I just want it to be over. Like, just let me know if I’m getting traded. Let me know if I’m staying.”

Chicago has alternatives with two first-round picks. After selling the No. 1 pick to Carolina last summer, the Bears are back on the clock first overall following a last-place finish in the NFC. Related content The Bears could trade the pick again, leading to a king’s ransom in draft capital, or stand pat and take a quarterback. Early predictions are if Chicago stands pat, it would be to draft USC passer and former Heisman winner Caleb Williams. Chicago also has the No. 9 pick after finishing 7-10 behind Fields. “It’s a unique spot in the draft to have the first overall pick, the ninth overall pick,” new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron said. “Just from an organization in general, you know, it’s not going to happen too often.”

Everything is on the table for now. Williams, the consensus #1 prospect who piloted the Trojans to an 11-win season under Lincoln Riley in 2022, might also deviate from playing for Chicago in a similar fashion to Eli Manning and John Elway. A native of the D.C. area, the Washington Commanders might be a landing destination for Williams in either a trade-up or roadblock from Chicago making the pick. New head coach Dan Quinn has signed Kliff Kingsbury as his offensive coordinator, who worked with Williams as the Trojans’ OC in 2023.

In two seasons under Riley, Williams threw 72 touchdown passes against 10 interceptions while completing 67.5 percent of his passes and averaged 314.2 yards per game. He rushed also for 21 touchdowns. Bears general manager Ryan Poles admitted that Fields improved down the stretch and will explore all possibilities. Fields, who helped Ohio State reach the national championship in 2020, was a layover from the previous regime when Poles was hired from Kansas City.

That doesn’t mean Poles isn’t interested in retaining Fields. He gambled on him back-to-back offseasons despite winning fewer than 25 percent of his games. Fields have shown modest progress, notably in both completion percentage and passer rating. Still, even with the progress Fields remains a bottom-statiscal passer. “Justin got better,” Poles remarked following the season. “I think he can lead this team. But at the same time, there’s a unique circumstance where I have to look, and our staff has to look, at everything, and that’s precisely what we’re going to do.” Should Chicago resort to the draft, it’s best to presume Fields would be traded. A native of Georgia, Fields was asked if he’d be interested in playing for the Atlanta Falcons, who have gone 21-30 over the previous three seasons with three different quarterbacks.

“Atlanta would be tough,” Fields added. “The only con of going back home is people hitting my phone like crazy wanting tickets to the game. They’ve got a lot of good players. They probably need one more receiver. But they’ve clearly got some guys over there and their defense [is good].” Related: Buckeyes Star Marvin Harrison Jr. Lands In Top 3 Of Latest NFL Mock Draft The Falcons would have a stable offense in place for Fields to succeed behind receiver Drake London, tight end Kyle Pitts, running back Bijan Robinson, and a top-five line. Fields would also study under new coordinator Zac Robinson, who rejuvenated the career of Matthew Stafford following back surgery this offseason.

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