Chicago Bears May Attempt to Trade 1st Overall Pick

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields can breathe a little easier, at least for this year. Speaking on the Rich Eisen show, SI's Albert Breer said he expects the team to investigate trading the number one overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft and roll with Fields as their starter for another season.

Albert Breer thinks the Bears will look at QB’s and if they don’t fall in love trade the 1st pick and have a chance to draft Caleb Williams or Drake Maye in 2024 if Fields doesn’t prove he’s the guy next season. 👀👀

Thoughts Chicago? #DaBears #Bears #Chicago pic.twitter.com/8SLve71k0D
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) January 11, 2023

Fields thrilled Bears fans this season by flirting with the NFL record for rushing yards by a quarterback in a single season, but the limitations of the team's passing attack earned them the league's worst record and the top pick in the draft. The Bears ranked last in the league in passing yards per game (130.5), sack rate (13.3%), and interception rate (4.0%).

Luckily for Fields, the Bears don't appear to believe the offense's struggles were due to him alone. Successfully trading the first overall pick could be a great start toward surrounding him with the talent he needs to succeed.

Unfortunately for the Bears, it takes two teams to make a trade. If they don't deem a player worthy of the first-overall pick, there's a chance no other team will either. Typically, it's a quarterback at the top of the draft that lands the most enticing haul (see Eli Manning, Robert Griffin III, and Carson Wentz). If the Bears don't believe any rookie passer has more to offer than Fields, teams are unlikely to come banging at their doors.