For Justin Fields, the Falcons make the most sense, but two other teams might be considered.
Justin Fields’ time in Chicago seems to be over, as Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams announced his intention to enter the 2024 NFL Draft and the Bears currently own the first overall pick. The athletic 24-year-old dual-threat quarterback will probably be traded, according to Dane Brugler of The Athletic.
On paper, Atlanta appears to be the greatest destination for the three-year veteran, as the Falcons saw subpar quarterback performance in 2023 from Taylor Heinicke (five passing touchdowns, four interceptions) and Desmond Ridder (12 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions).
Barring a trade-up, the Falcons are unlikely to select Williams or North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye, who is also regarded as a lock for the top five, as they have the eighth overall pick in the 2024 draft. Atlanta appears to be better off upgrading at quarterback if they trade for Fields.
Georgia native Fields started 13 games in 2023, rushing for 657 yards and throwing for 2,562 yards. In all, he scored 20 touchdowns (16 passing), threw nine interceptions, and set career highs in passer rating (86.3) and completion percentage (61.4).
Fields’ running prowess would fit in nicely with Atlanta’s run-heavy offense, which concluded 2023 with the third-most rush attempts (522). At the end of the regular season, head coach Arthur Smith was let go. The team’s offensive strategy might be altered by a new head coach. For example, Bijan Robinson, the eighth overall pick in 2023, might see more playing time after rushing for 976 yards and eight touchdowns in his debut season.
Targeting tight ends is another area in which Fields shines. Kyle Pitts of Atlanta is a skilled player at this position with 53 receptions and 667 receiving yards. Cole Kmet had 90 targets and 73 receptions for the Bears.
Smith’s inability to maximize the potential of his best offensive weapons was one of the factors that led to his firing by the Falcons. Pitts and WR Drake London (69 receptions, 905 receiving yards), who saw limited action under Smith, would be a good fit for Fields’ skill set.
Fields has been criticized for taking an excessive number of sacks. In 2023, the Bears’ 50 sacks allowed tied them for 25th place. Atlanta’s forty against tied for 12th place. With the Falcons’ improved offensive line, Fields would experience less pressure than he did in Chicago.
Fields could land with more teams than just the Falcons. The QB may also be the target of the Commanders and the Broncos. Washington will probably make a quarterback change after Sam Howell struggled for the Commanders, throwing a league-high 21 interceptions.
After a dismal 2022 season, Russell Wilson (26 passing touchdowns, 8 interceptions) performed admirably for Denver in 2023. However, his career with the Broncos looks to be finished after he was benched for the final two games of 2023. The Broncos’ QB options would be limited by Wilson’s dead money, so Denver could use a young quarterback on a rookie contract.
Although Fields did not play to his full potential while with the Bears, he has shown enough promise to think that, in the right circumstances, he can be a reliable quarterback. Though it’s not the only choice, Atlanta is your best bet for a landing spot.
