Chicago Bears: 3 replacements if Justin Fields isn’t the answer
There is a possibility that Chicago Bears’ QB Justin Fields isn’t the answer. Who are three options to replace him in 2024 if that is the case? It’s now or never for Justin Fields in a Chicago Bears’ uniform. The 2023 NFL season is the year that he has to show more and improve as a passer if he wants to stick around in Chicago.
Bears’ GM Ryan Poles has done a very nice job of surrounding Fields with the necessary pieces to develop into a competent passer. An improved offensive line and wide receiver core are the most notable improvements from Poles. DJ Moore forms a nice trio alongside Chase Claypool and Darnell Mooney, and additions along the offensive line of Nate Davis and Darnell Wright are surely going to help keep Fields upright.
However, while many across the NFL are predicting Justin Fields to breakout in year three, there is still a possibility that he does not, perhaps falls flat on his face, and is bumped out of the QB1 role for someone else. Let’s dive into who else that could be.
Chicago Bears: 3 replacements if Justin Fields isn’t the answer
Kirk Cousins
Kirk Cousins is a free agent in 2024 and I truly do not think the Minnesota Vikings are going to bring him back. He’s been an efficient but not elite QB for really his entire career. He’s been a model of above-average consistency in the NFL, and you know what you’re going to get from him.
Cousins is also the type of passer who could sustain success as he continues to approach 40. He’s a pure pocket passer and hasn’t shown any signs of declining, even as he enters his age-35 season. If the Chicago Bears are confident that they can make something happen in 2024 and are not sold on Fields, Cousins could be a very nice 1-2 year solution for the team.
He’d ideally need to be paired with a draft pick in 2024 or 2025, but Chicago is dying for solid QB play, and if nothing else, Kirk Cousins can bring that for a little bit while Ryan Poles sorts out the long-term QB situation.