What next for QB Justin Fields: Landing spots and options after trade market cools

• The Vikings, Broncos and Raiders still need a quarterback: The Vikings, Broncos and Raiders are all in the market for a long-term starter at quarterback. However, all three teams might need to move up in the draft to land even the fourth quarterback on PFF's big board. 

• Could he stay in Chicago? There does come a point where the return the Bears can get is not worth giving up on the potential that Fields still holds after three seasons in the league.

• Draft and trade for yourself: Try PFF's Mock Draft Simulator — trade picks and players and mock for your favorite NFL team.

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The 2024 NFL league year will begin at 4 p.m. EST, and quarterback Justin Fields will still be a member of the Chicago Bears.

It wasn’t supposed to be this way. The buzz at the NFL scouting combine was that he might be traded to the Atlanta Falcons, but Atlanta didn’t make that move and will instead be signing Kirk Cousins today.

The rumor that hit NFL circles shortly after was that the Pittsburgh Steelers were in the mix to bring him in, but like Atlanta, they didn’t make the move and will go with Russell Wilson or Kenny Pickett in 2024.

So what now for the former 11th overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft?

The quarterback-needy teams

Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders

While the trade market hasn’t yet materialized for Fields, there are still teams out there that have immediate questions at the quarterback position and should still be in play for a move for the former first-round pick. 

The Vikings, Broncos and Raiders are all in the market for a long-term starter at quarterback. However, all three teams might need to move up in the draft to land even the fourth quarterback on PFF's big board. 

For at least one of those teams, trading a mid-round pick and seeing what they have in Fields for a year would probably be smart. It’s just that they will likely want to wait until after at least the first night of the draft to make that move.

The wild card

New York Giants

The Giants have Daniel Jones under contract for another three seasons, but 2024 is the last year they are really tied to him. The former sixth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft earned PFF grades above 70.0 in all three seasons between 2020 and 2022, but he has yet to show that he can be that franchise quarterback.

Fields earned a 74.6 PFF grade in 2023 and has earned rushing grades of 84.0 or better in each of the past two seasons, which would be a nice fit for a Brian Daboll offense with the Giants.

JUSTIN FIELDS: PFF GRADES AND RANK SINCE 2021

Backup spots

Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills

If no team moves to acquire Fields as a potential starter, the Bears might be wise to call teams with a rushing threat at the position, though it would likely result in them getting less in return.

Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen and Fields were the only starting quarterbacks with 50 or more rushing attempts last season, and all earned PFF rushing grades above 75.0. Anthony Richardson ran the ball just 18 times before his season ended through injury, but he was on a 17-game pace of 77 carries.

Sticking with the Bears

There does come a point where the return the Bears can get is not worth giving up on the potential that Fields still holds after three seasons in the league.

Yes, Caleb Williams has earned PFF grades above 90.0 in each of the past three seasons in college, but there are no sure things in the NFL.

If the Bears don’t trade Fields, it still exists in the range of outcomes that Fields could be a better NFL player than Williams, Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels. It might not be likely, but it is possible.

The other scenario that could play out here is the Bears' new franchise quarterback misses time, and Fields steps in and plays really well, putting the Bears in a position to use the franchise tag and trade him next offseason when his value is higher.

Fields’ PFF grade has improved every season in the NFL, so while those scenarios do feel unlikely, there’s a reason why many thought there would be a stronger trade market for him this offseason.

Ultimately, if the Bears don’t like the value they can get in return now, keeping him around just might be the best option.