There are sufficient patsies in want of a quarterback that Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles could be silly to not take the numerous godfather gives that may come his method earlier than the NFL Draft on April 25. Chief amongst them are the Washington Commanders, who’ve a brand new proprietor, new GM and new coach desperately attempting to reset the tradition. With the rent of Kliff Kiingsbury because the offensive coordinator, Washington may as nicely write “Mark” on its brow.
A yr in the past, the Bears fleeced the Carolina Panthers for a No. 1 receiver, this yr’s No. 1 decide and extra as a result of David Tepper has the endurance of a billionaire. It was the sort of transfer that may expedite the trajectory of a franchise, and so they can do it once more. It’d be one factor if Justin Fields was unable to make the most of the property Pole supplied him, however D.J. Moore surpassed 1,300 yards and endorsed his QB within the course of.
All Chicago has to do is persuade Washington that different suitors for Williams are keen and keen to half with actual draft capital to be able to draft one of the best quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck. New England and Atlanta may put collectively gives. Hell, what’s Adam Schefter’s price to leak nonexistent trades? It could possibly’t be rather more than a retweet and a Chipotle reward card.
The Patriots haven’t changed Invoice Belichick as GM, and that at all times makes for good leisure and potential misplays, particularly for an possession group intent on proving itself post-Hoodie. Though the Pats don’t have a talent participant the caliber of Moore to push Fields’ supporting forged to league-best standing, they’ve their very own first- by way of fifth-round picks this yr and the subsequent.
The Atlanta Falcons have Drake London and Kyle Pitts, and maintain the rights to their most beneficial picks this yr and the subsequent. Simply gin up some curiosity, make rookie Commanders GM Adam Peters sweat from the stress of rookie proprietor Josh Harris, and wait out one of the best supply. The Commanders have Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson and Antonio Gibson, and the rights to their finest picks in 2024 and ’25.
The Bears went by way of this final yr, so Poles needs to be acquainted with the way it works. Chicago doesn’t even should tackle veteran salaries in the event that they don’t wish to. Buying and selling both Fields or the decide for Williams ought to internet a pleasant haul, however the return for the No. 1 decide might be higher than a identified, and sure undervalued, amount.
Fields is on his rookie deal for an additional yr, and even when he elevates his play to All-Professional standing in 2024, his fifth-year choice is an estimated $23 million, which is much beneath what different quarterbacks — franchise or Danny Dimes — are getting paid. Seize a bunch of picks and draft low-cost expertise to keep away from future cap pratfalls.
Chicago is in a win-now-or-win-later state of affairs. How Poles handles it’s going to communicate to the arrogance he has within the job he’s finished to date. Punting on Fields to draft Williams ensures him a couple of extra years on the helm, however buying and selling the decide is far riskier as a result of the expectations carry over, and he nonetheless has to do the job of hitting on these picks. The reward for profitable sooner, with a man the town has already embraced, is probably going an extension and even larger belief.
That being stated, for those who’re a GM and may’t see the apparent dynamism Fields possesses, or the leap he made when given a No. 1 receiver, possibly it’s you who the franchise ought to half with.