Fantasy Football Impact of Potential Landing Spots for Justin Fields in 2024
Justin Fields looks like he could be on the move and this is where he might end up.
The Chicago Bears have landed the top spot in the 2024 NFL Draft thanks to a trade with the Carolina Panthers which they would surely like to take back now.
All signs are pointing to the Bears moving on from Justin Fields prior to the draft in April. We are going to let you know the case for and against Fields staying in Chicago and the top four potential landing spots if he goes elsewhere. Also, we will let you know if those spots are ideal for Fields and his fantasy owners or if they will sink both his production and his value.
Why it Makes Sense to Keep Fields
Fields currently has one year left on his rookie deal as long as a fifth-year option. Financially there is no imminent need to move on from the young QB. With the first and ninth-overall pick in this year's draft, the team also has the necessary pieces to potentially build around him if they feel that he can develop into their franchise guy.
We have seen him improve each year and the Bears' offense has been far from a completed project around him. If they move Fields and draft a quarterback first overall, they could live to regret it. Instead drafting a stud receiver and tackle with their first-round picks could set them up for immediate success.
Why the Bears Should Trade Fields
Fields is an amazing athlete with incredible upside. However, he has one glaring issue. Accuracy. We have seen quarterbacks with this same problem struggle to get over the hump time after time.
That's not to say that he can't have NFL success, but the goal is to win a Super Bowl. Every time we've seen an outstanding athlete who can make plays with their legs but struggle with accuracy, they've hit a ceiling.
The quarterbacks that come to mind are Michael Vick, Josh Allen, Cam Newton, Lamar Jackson and Colin Kaepernick. Many of these QBs had great careers. There are MVPs and potential Hall of Famers on this list. Nevertheless, their playoff resumes are less than stellar. If the team believes one of these rookie QBs could be the next generational superstar then they have to take that shot on him.
Top Four Potential Landing Spots
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons are the current leader in the clubhouse. If ever Fields was going to develop into a true superstar, this is the supporting cast to do it with. The Falcons have a solid offensive line and arguably one of the best young sets of weapons in the NFL.
If you were to name a young trio of RB, WR and TE, it's tough to beat the potential upside of Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts. None of them have come close to their ceiling yet, but a new regime will look to utilize them infinitely better than the disastrous coaching staff before them. This is likely the best-case scenario for Fields.
Pittsburgh Steelers
This would be another nice landing spot for Fields. He would fall right into one of the most stable organizations in football. The offensive coordinator has been questioned in recent years, but change brings about hope on that front.
He would have Diontae Johnson, George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth to throw to, and the Steelers have never had issues finding pass-catching talent. They are coached well, they draft well, and are a premier organization from the top down. That can go a long way for a young QB coming out of a brutal situation.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders are an all-around bad situation for Fields. This is a bad team as currently constructed and an even worse organization. They will destroy this kid.
The offensive line is falling apart, their star weapon is aging, and their rushing attack has most likely peaked. Vegas should be viewed as the worst-case scenario for Fields of all the most realistic landing spots.
New England Patriots
The Pats are the real wild card in this group. We haven't seen what this franchise looks like without Bill Belichick pulling the strings in well over two decades. This team could look revitalized or they could fall into complete dysfunction.
Their offensive line is solid, but they lack weapons for Fields to throw to. If Fields was to pan out in New England it would probably be a longer process for him to reach his potential than it would be in Atlanta or Pittsburgh. However, it's also not a sure-fire disaster like Vegas.
