The Chicago Bears personal the No. 1 choose — congratulations on one more profitable tank — and a few hosts of sports activities debate reveals are weighing whether or not they need to commerce Justin Fields after which draft Bryce Younger. That is ridiculous and never going to occur.

Fields simply completed his second yr and confirmed appreciable enchancment from his rookie season. He had probably the most prolific speeding seasons ever with the second most speeding yards in a season for a quarterback, behind solely Lamar Jackson in his MVP marketing campaign. His completion share went up, his QBR greater than doubled, and he went from throwing seven touchdowns with 10 picks to throwing 17 touchdowns with 11 picks. All that whereas being tied for the most-sacked quarterback within the league.

As you would possibly’ve found out from the sack whole, the Bears’ offensive line isn’t superb. Da Bears additionally gave up essentially the most factors per sport within the league and had the second-worst working protection. I’d wager that until you will have a Mike Ditka fathead in your wall, you possibly can’t title a single receiver on the staff.

When Chicago is on the clock and “Workforce Wants” reveals up on the underside third of the display screen, it is going to say “every thing however quarterback.” Buying and selling one quarterback who took an enormous leap in his second season and proved himself to be a franchise QB, simply to draft one other one, is taking one step ahead and two steps again. All of the Bears would be doing is delaying the rebuild.

That’s why the very best factor to do is to commerce again within the draft, collect extra picks, and begin to handle their staff’s many, many wants. And if the Bears don’t commerce again, they need to use the choose both on Alabama linebacker Will Anderson, or Georgia sort out Jalen Carter — somebody who can enhance an space that really wants enhancing.

Perhaps the largest advocate on TV for buying and selling Fields is ESPN’s Dan Graziano who stated on Get Up, “I feel Justin Fields can be a strong B, B+, however [Bryce Young] – I feel he has an opportunity to be an A.”

I don’t disagree with any of that, however discover the phrase alternative. “An opportunity.” In fact he has an opportunity to be an A, however a number of issues must occur between from time to time. It will be loopy to commerce away a certain factor to take an opportunity on one other quarterback, even for those who suppose they’re going to be nice. If the Bears draft Bryce Younger, he’d be strolling into the identical mess that Fields was in.

And what would the plan be after that? Younger struggles as a result of he has a nasty staff round him, then they guarantee the fan base there’s a motive for optimism, then commerce Younger away after exhibiting enchancment in yr two as a result of a “generational expertise” comes alongside each two years or so, rinse and repeat?

And naturally the Bears are going to say they’re contemplating it to maintain the choose’s commerce worth excessive. If the Texans need Bryce Younger and truly consider that the Bears are going to draft him No. 1, then they’ll most likely be prepared to surrender extra to maneuver up that one spot.

In fact, Chicago ought to do its due diligence by scouting each contender for the highest choose and contemplating all potential choices, nevertheless it needs to be a fast dialog, one which goes one thing like: “Ought to we commerce Fields?” “No.” “You’re proper. What was I considering?”

Is Bryce Younger the reply?

I feel Bryce Younger can be an excellent NFL quarterback, however some issues ought to give groups at the least a little bit little bit of pause earlier than drafting him to exchange the quarterback they have already got. He’s small, and I hate to deliver it up as a result of usually, I feel it’s silly to fully fixate on a participant’s bodily attributes, nevertheless it’s nonetheless noteworthy. He’s listed at 6-foot and 194 lbs. Uh-huh…

Have you ever ever seen him stand subsequent to 5-foot-6 Nick Saban?

I don’t purchase into the concept a quarterback’s peak has any impact on how effectively they play, however I’m curious how Younger will maintain up towards the wood-chipper that’s the NFL.

Keep in mind how Fields was sacked essentially the most of any quarterback this season? That was 55 instances. Younger was sacked 63 instances in his school profession, and lots of of these have been undoubtedly from gamers who aren’t as massive or robust as those who can be tackling him within the NFL. He additionally has a comparatively minor damage concern with a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder he sustained in October that triggered him to overlook one sport.

One other quarterback who’s a contender for the highest choose (and virtually actually going within the high 5) is C.J. Stroud from Fields’ alma mater Ohio State. They’re very completely different gamers, however personally, I used to be a lot increased on Fields popping out of faculty than I’m on Stroud proper now.

If Fields was part of this draft class, the place would you are taking him? For me, it’s second at worst. However he isn’t on this draft class. He’s already two years into his profession and will use some assist.