With Southern California QB Caleb Williams declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft and the Bears currently holding the first overall pick, Justin Fields’ time in Chicago appears to be over. Only 24 years old, the dual-threat QB will likely be traded, per Dane Brugler of The Athletic.
On paper, the best landing spot for the three-year veteran is Atlanta, which got poor QB play from Desmond Ridder (12 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions) and Taylor Heinicke (five passing touchdowns, four interceptions) in 2023.
The Falcons have the eighth overall pick in the 2024 draft, so barring a trade-up, they are unlikely to draft Williams or North Carolina QB Drake Maye, who is also considered a lock for the top five. A trade for Fields seems an ideal way for Atlanta to upgrade at QB.
Fields, a Georgia native, started 13 games in 2023, throwing for 2,562 yards and rushing for 657. He had 20 total touchdowns (16 passing) and threw nine interceptions and registered a career-high completion percentage (61.4) and passer rating (86.3).
Fields’ running ability would mesh well with the run-centric attack in Atlanta, which finished 2023 with the third-most rushing attempts (522). Head coach Arthur Smith was fired following the conclusion of the regular season. A new coach could change the team’s offensive philosophy, such as getting more usage of 2023 eighth overall pick Bijan Robinson, who rushed for 976 yards and scored eight total touchdowns in his rookie campaign.
Another area where Fields excels is targeting tight ends — Cole Kmet had 90 targets and 73 receptions for the Bears — and Atlanta has talent at the position with Kyle Pitts (53 receptions, 667 receiving yards).
One of the reasons the Falcons fired Smith was because he failed to get the most from his top offensive weapons. Fields skill set would mesh well with Pitts and WR Drake London (69 receptions, 905 receiving yards), who were underused under Smith.
One criticism of Fields is that he takes too many sacks. The Bears tied for 25th in sacks allowed (50) in 2023. Atlanta gave up 40 — tied for 12th. The offensive line upgrade provided by the Falcons would help Fields face less pressure than he did in Chicago.
The Falcons aren’t the only potential landing spot for Fields. The Commanders and Broncos could also target the QB. Sam Howell struggled for the Commanders, throwing a league-leading 21 interceptions, so a QB change is likely in Washington.
Russell Wilson (26 passing touchdowns, eight interceptions) was fine for Denver in 2023 after a disastrous 2022 season, but his Broncos career appears over after getting benched for the final two games of 2023. Denver could use a young QB on a rookie contract as the dead money of cutting Wilson would limit the Broncos’ QB options.
If this offseason the #Broncos part ways with Russell Wilson a post June 1 release would divide the $85 million in dead money over two seasons:
– $35.4 million in 2024
– $49.6 million in 2025— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) December 27, 2023
Fields did not reach his potential with the Bears, but he has shown enough flashes to believe he can be a dependable QB if put in the right situation. Atlanta is the best bet for a landing spot, but it’s not the only option.
