The Chicago Bears clinched the No. 1 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft on Sunday. The Bears confirmed their positioning following a Carolina Panthers defeat at the hands of the Jacksonville Jaguars coupled with an Arizona Cardinals victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. The Bears will soon make a sizable decision regarding the immediate direction of their franchise. Bears general manager Ryan Poles should commit to Justin Fields as his quarterback of the future while trading the selection in exchange for multiple draft picks.
This marks the second consecutive offseason the Bears are faced with a franchise-altering decision. Last year's blockbuster deal with the Panthers that allowed Carolina to draft Bryce Young has undeniably worked in Chicago's favor. Repeating that trade with favorable parameters should appeal to Poles' Bears.
Fields was outstanding in Sunday's victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Fields completed 20-of-32 passing attempts for 268 yards and one touchdown. A dual-threat quarterback, Fields added 45 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown to his offensive totals. Bears fans reacted by chanting "We Want Fields." The fan base has made its positioning known.
It was the continuation of Fields' excellent play through November and December. The 7-9 Bears have now captured victories in four of their latest five contests, including a dominant showing over the NFC North-winning Detroit Lions. The Bears' lone defeat throughout this streak was a three-point heartbreaker to the playoff-bound Cleveland Browns.
Throughout that stretch, Fields has completed 100-of-169 (59.1%) passing attempts for four touchdowns and three interceptions. Fields has one touchdown pass in four consecutive appearances. The former Ohio State standout has added 289 rushing yards and three additional touchdowns to his offensive totals. The Bears should continue investing in Fields’ development.
The decision won't be easy, however. Two excellent quarterback prospects are staring the Bears down in North Carolina's Drake Maye and USC's Caleb Williams. Both quarterbacks would have garnered serious consideration to be the No. 1 overall pick in last year's draft had they been eligible.
Choosing between Fields, Williams, and Maye isn't Chicago's only decision. They could conceivably choose to stay at No. 1 overall and opt to draft wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who hails from Fields' alma mater Ohio State. Receivers rarely gain consideration to be the draft's top selection, but Harrison Jr. is simply that good.
Pairing Harrison Jr. with D.J. Moore, who the Bears acquired in last year's deal involving the No. 1 pick, would give Fields a pair of dominant boundary receivers. The decision will likely come down to Fields and the quarterbacks, but Harrison Jr.’s presence adds another layer to Poles' decision-making process.
There are various factors to consider. If the Bears decide to select Maye or Williams, does that mean they're firing head coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Luke Getsy? Fields is showing terrific command of Getsy's offense, and Eberflus is showing signs of winning with the roster Poles is building. The Bears are extremely familiar with the struggles that often arrive when pairing a rookie quarterback and first-year head coach. Should the Bears be eager to hit reset buttons after finally digging themselves out of the league's basement? Look no further than Carolina for warning signs.
Ultimately, the Bears have enjoyed positive results from last year's decision to forego making the No. 1 overall selection. By trading the pick to Carolina, Poles managed to surround Fields with talents such as Moore and Darnell Wright while stockpiling extra draft capital. By acquiring another package of picks and players in exchange for 2024's top selection, Chicago would possess the resources necessary to build the best supporting cast Fields has ever been surrounded by. That could help catapult Fields and the Bears to postseason contention in 2024.
