The NFL world is converging on Indianapolis for the 2024 scouting combine taking place this week. While the main purpose of these visits is for teams to get a closer look at the 321 prospects who have been invited by the league to get measured, tested and interviewed ahead of the upcoming draft, there’s also plenty of other business for front offices to attend to during these trips.
Trade talks are historically a major part of combine week. It’s inevitable when so many NFL decision-makers get together in one building and has resulted in plenty of deals taking place in years past. That should be no different in 2024, especially with several high-profile talents already having their names bandied about in trade rumors this offseason.
While there will be lots of intriguing nuggets being released in the coming days, there’s also sure to be plenty of smokescreens and misinformation wafting through Lucas Oil Stadium. With the rumor mill churning at full speed this week, it can be tough to sift through it all and identify which of these trade rumors have substance and which are just empty hype.
Don’t fret, however, as we’ll be doing the hard work for you. With that in mind, read on for a faction-or-fiction look at some of the latest NFL rumors.
Rumor: Justin Fields Trade Is Imminent
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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 07: Justin Fields #1 of the Chicago Bears looks to pass against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 07, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
John Fisher/Getty Images
One of the most polarizing topics of the 2024 NFL offseason involves the Chicago Bears and what the franchise will do with the both the No. 1 overall pick and incumbent starting quarterback Justin Fields.
The two are intimately intertwined, with the Bears almost certain to trade Fields if they stay put and select a signal-caller at the top of the draft.
Editor’s Note: Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Bears GM Ryan Poles said he, “doesn’t think it would be right not to trade Justin Fields before free agency begins.”
However, even if Chicago does move down from No. 1 overall for the second consecutive year, there’s still a chance the club parts ways with Fields following three polarizing campaigns.
Poles has clearly done a great job hiding his intent, evidenced by the varied takes from NFL insiders on this situation.
In his retirement column, NBC Sports’ Peter King said that he believes the Bears will ultimately move back from No. 1, trading down multiple times to put a stronger supporting cast around Fields. Fox Sports’ Peter Schrager echoed that same line of thinking during a Good Morning Football spot Monday.
On the other hand, SI.com’s Albert Breer said on a recent ESPN 1000 radio appearance he believes the framework of a Fields trade could be done as soon as next week. Fields’ choice to unfollow the Bears on social media seems to indicate his tenure in the Windy City could soon be officially over, even if the quarterback stated the unfollow was simply part of some timeline housekeeping.
No one can be certain what route the Bears will choose besides Poles, but it’s tough to see a scenario in which Chicago’s front office can justify sticking with Fields for a fourth season. Not when there’s an opportunity to draft USC’s Caleb Williams or UNC’s Drake Maye—the top quarterback prospects on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department’s big board—on the table.
The Bears backed Fields last year when they punted on a chance to select C.J. Stroud at No. 1. Stroud went on to guide his Houston Texans to the postseason as a rookie while Chicago missed the playoffs for the third straight year. Given Fields has gone a meager 10-28 in his starts and hasn’t developed into a competent passer at this point, it’s clearly time to move on and reboot with a promising first-year prospect.
