GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 07: Justin Fields #1 of the Chicago Bears warms up prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 07, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

The Chicago Bears hold the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft courtesy of the Carolina Panthers, and they’re widely expected to use it on a quarterback.

Though quarterback Justin Fields is coming off the best season of his young career, the Bears will likely find it tough to pass on an all-world talent like USC’s Caleb Williams, the consensus top QB in this year’s class.

 

Plus, drafting Williams gives Chicago the advantage of keeping a franchise QB on a bargain contract for five years, whereas Fields has just two years remaining on his rookie deal (if the Bears pick up the fifth-year option).

It only makes sense for the Bears to trade the 2021 first-round pick for extra capital, and to use the No. 1 pick on Williams. Assuming Fields hits the trade block, the New York Giants should be among the heavy suitors for his services.

The Giants handed Daniel Jones a four-year extension worth $160 million last offseason. Jones struggled in his six games this past season before suffering a season-ending ACL tear in Week 9 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

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Jones has only pieced together one productive season in his five-year career, so this is the time for the Giants to seek an upgrade at a reasonable price. With Fields still on his rookie deal, the Giants should make the move and then prepare to cut Jones next year.

New York can offer Chicago a 2024 second-round pick (47th overall via the Seattle Seahawks) and a 2025 fifth-round pick for Fields. That should be enough to bring in the standout dual-threat QB, who would immediately provide Brian Daboll and company with a much-needed upgrade at the game’s most important position.