CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 31: Justin Fields #1 of the Chicago Bears looks on prior to a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Soldier Field on December 31, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
In another surprising NFL offseason development, a young QB and former first-round pick has switched teams. And once again, Justin Fields was not involved.
On Friday, the Pittsburgh Steelers shocked the league by trading 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett and the No. 120 pick to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for the No. 98 selection and two 2025 seventh-rounders.
The full trade compensation:
— #Eagles get QB Kenny Pickett and the Steelers original 4th round pick (120 overall) in 2024.
— #Steelers get Eagles 3rd round comp pick (98 overall) and the Eagles highest two 7th round draft picks in 2025.— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 15, 2024
Fields, meanwhile, remains a member of the Bears with the amount of possible suitors rapidly dwindling. Chicago, of course, is expected to use the No. 1 selection in next month’s draft on USC quarterback Caleb Williams.
The Steelers signed Russell Wilson, who now looks like the undisputed QB1 following Pickett’s departure. The Atlanta Falcons signed Kirk Cousins. The New York Giants signed Drew Lock to compete with Daniel Jones. And the Las Vegas Raiders added Gardner Minshew II to compete with Aidan O’Connell.
So, who does that leave as a possible landing spot for Fields? Fans on X/Twitter had one specific destination in mind:
A team that still makes sense for Justin Fields:
The #Patriots. pic.twitter.com/IZ8TFzHKTM
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) March 15, 2024
The patriots giving up a 3rd rd pick for fields and getting multiple firsts from the Vikings seems like a solid path forward. https://t.co/c1sTrnf2Af
— Nic Dressen (@LaffyTaffy0112) March 15, 2024
What Should The Patriots Do?
A. Trade For Justin Fields And Draft Marvin Harrison Jr Or A WR
B. Draft A Rookie QB#Patriots #NFL #NFLDraft #NFLDraft2024 pic.twitter.com/ExAIPqXHxW
— sharklit25 (@sharklit25) March 15, 2024
In a perfect world
Bears-Caleb Williams
Commanders- Daniels
Patriots-trade the number 3 overall pick to the Vikings for picks 11,23 and a 25 1st after they acquired Justin Fields via trade with Bears.
Vikings select Drake Maye pic.twitter.com/Bzq9YckaNA— Tim Brown (@TimBrown757) March 15, 2024
Justin Fields to the Patriots makes some sense if they plan on trading down.
— 𝙆𝙖𝙨𝙚 (𝙋𝙂) (@verysadvikings) March 15, 2024
Which team do you think needs Justin Fields the most?
I’ll start: New England Patriots pic.twitter.com/a3vUsiPtx3
— SN Ohio (@SN_Ohio) March 15, 2024
The New England Patriots hold the No. 3 pick in this year’s draft. Assuming the Bears take Williams, the Washington Commanders will likely take either LSU’s Jayden Daniels or North Carolina’s Drake Maye.
By holding the No. 3 pick, the Patriots would guarantee themselves the chance to take one of the big three QB prospects. But if they’re high on Fields, then the Patriots just might consider adding him and trading the No. 3 pick for additional draft capital.
