ESPN BLOCKBUSTER TRADE: Bears Trade Lands Justin Fields in a Blockbuster trade $21 million.

At the low point of the regular season, the Chicago Bears had the opportunity to draft not only their future quarterback, but also their pass-catchers. Oddly enough, that possibility may arise again through a Justin Fields deal.

The estimated trade value for Fields is a package that includes a second-round pick. However, if the Bears want to be creative, they can trade Fields for numerous assets and position themselves to draft wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. just two selections after taking Caleb Williams first overall.

The New England Patriots control the No. 3 pick in April, and while the team is in need of a quarterback, there is speculation that they are willing to trade out of the third pick and pursue a different way to replace Mac Jones. On Wednesday, February 14, Alex Shapiro of NBC Sports Chicago proposed a trade in which the Bears exchange Fields, the No. 9 pick, the No. 75 pick, and a fourth-round pick in 2025 for the Patriots’ No. 3 pick.

“If we’re going by draft value charts, this type of package would be close to even — assuming the Patriots agree Fields is worth a second-round pick,” Shapiro wrote in an email. “The [Houston] Texans surprised the world by trading up to take Will Anderson within moments after selecting C.J. Stroud. Maybe Bears GM Ryan Poles takes a page from their playbook? It doesn’t seem likely, but a blockbuster trade like this would put the Bears in position to choose Harrison Jr. themselves.”

Patriots are among prime suitors to trade for the Bears. Justin Fields

Despite having the third overall pick, the Patriots are a strong contender for Fields. The team and incoming head coach Jerod Mayo have not spoken explicitly about the quarterback possibilities at that point, but it is expected that two will already be off the board by then. At that moment, the Patriots may be able to increase their value by moving off the selection and amassing a slew of assets in the process.

“The Patriots also need a quarterback, but there are people around the league who believe they are open to trading the No. 3 selection, moving back in the draft and addressing the quarterback position in free agency,” ESPN’s Dan Graziano stated on Feb. 10.

Fields makes a lot of sense as a fairly proven person with legitimate arm and leg talent that outperforms the average NFL signal-caller who is playing on a cost-controlled rookie contract in 2024. Any team that retains his contract rights can also exercise a fifth-year team option for the 2025 season for a fee in the vicinity of $21 million.

On February 14, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated stated that Jones and the Patriots have parted ways, despite the fact that a new coach is on the sidelines.

“It’s really hard to live down your history with an NFL team, and Jones’s with the New England Patriots is not good,” Breer stated in an email. “He was drafted 15th and hasn’t lived up to expectations. He was terrific as a rookie and has regressed significantly thereafter.”

Marvin Harrison Jr. can help usher in a new era in Chicago alongside Caleb Williams.

If the Bears can get all the way to No. 3 in a Fields trade with the Patriots, Harrison makes a lot of sense for the squad.

Mel Kiper Jr., an ESPN draft expert, predicted that Chicago will select Rome Odunze of the Washington Huskies with the ninth overall choice to pair alongside DJ Moore and Williams under centre. Kiper did, however, anticipate Harrison would go fourth overall to the Arizona Cardinals.

“Harrison is one of the best receiver prospects of the past decade, a 6-foot-4 speedster who can run every route and break tackles after the catch,” Kiper said in a January 23 article.

If the Bears are confident enough in the receiving position to use a top-10 choice on one and beat the Cardinals to the three-spot, everything might change – not just in this draft, but in Chicago for years to come.