The 2023 NFL season is almost over. By this time next week, the Washington Commanders will likely have already moved on from head coach Ron Rivera. Washington is expected to make sweeping organizational changes under new ownership led by managing partner Josh Harris.
At 4-12 heading into Week 18, Washington is a two-touchdown underdog to the Dallas Cowboys. If the Commanders lose as expected, they would have lost eight consecutive games to end the season and could own the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
The upcoming draft is expected to have three passers go in the top 10, led by Caleb Williams (USC), Drake Maye (North Carolina) and Jayden Daniels (LSU). Keep an eye out for Michael Penix of Washington, too.
It’s almost certain that the Commanders will be in the market for a young passer. After all, it’s not often they pick this high, and with new ownership and a new coach, the time is right to go all-in on a potential franchise quarterback.
On a Tuesday episode of NFL Live, former Dallas defensive lineman and current ESPN host Marcus Spears offered another idea for Washington to land its next quarterback.
Spears suggested that the Commanders send the No. 2 overall pick to the Chicago Bears — who currently own the No. 1 pick — for quarterback Justin Fields.
Wait, what?
Fields is finishing his third season in the NFL. A 2021 first-round pick, Fields isn’t a lock to be back in Chicago next season. However, he has played extremely well of late, and the Bears have been playing well, too. He also has one year remaining on his rookie contract, and Chicago (or a team trading for his services) has until May to decide to pick up his fifth-year option for 2025.
Spears called this a no-brainer for Washington.
This is nothing against Fields. This wouldn’t be a topic if Chicago didn’t have the No. 1 overall pick. As stated, he’s played well of late but remains far from a lock to be a high-end NFL starter.
Dan Orlovsky offered a more reasonable opinion that a team could offer Chicago a second-round pick for Fields if the Bears have any questions about him going forward.
The Commanders trading the second overall pick for Fields would be foolish. If he were worth trading the No. 2 overall pick for, then the Bears keeping him would be the real no-brainer.
There’s also the talk of a contract. A rookie starter would give the Commanders five years of reasonable team control, whereas Fields would be eligible for an extension after the season when, by all accounts, he has more to prove before landing a mega-deal.
One thing is certain: Chicago’s decision on what to do with Fields will be one of the primary storylines heading into April’s draft over the next few months.