Bears’ pursuit of franchise QB nearly cost them Justin Fields

Justin Fields is the unquestioned franchise quarterback of the Chicago Bears, but there was a moment prior to the 2021 NFL Draft that the 23-year-old almost wasn’t in the Bears’ future plans.

According to a report from Broncos insider Benjamin Allbright of KOA Colorado, the Bears were pursuing former Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson in 2021, but Chicago’s trade proposal was turned down because Seattle had no interest in drafting Justin Fields.

It wasn’t the first time the Bears were linked to Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowler. Dan Patrick reported a month before the 2021 draft that then-Chicago general manager Ryan Pace had made an aggressive trade offer to Seattle that was nixed.

“The Bears were all-in,” Patrick said. “They tried; they made an offer and I have an idea of what the Bears offered, according to a source close to the Bears. … From what I’m being told this is the offer that was made to the Seattle Seahawks: three first-round picks, a third-round pick, and two starters. I don’t know who the starters are.”

Chicago traded the 20th and 164th overall picks in that 2021 draft to the New York Giants to trade up 11th overall and take Fields out of Ohio State, and Wilson was ultimately traded to the Denver Broncos in March in exchange for the No. 9 overall pick in 2022 and a first rounder in 2023, plus two second-round picks, tight end Noah Fant, defensive lineman Shelby Harris, and quarterback Drew Lock.

Fields had a disappointing rookie season. He had a 2-8 record as a starter, completing 58.9% of his passes for 1,870 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also added 420 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

He should benefit from a better supporting cast in Year 2, which includes 1,000-yard receiver Darnell Mooney, third-year tight end Cole Kmet, and free agent receiver Byron Pringle, who had 42 receptions, 568 yards and five touchdowns for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2021. Running back David Montgomery, who missed four games last year, also appears to be fully healthy.