After an 0-4 start, third-year Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields might benefit from a change of scenery. One analyst believes the Atlanta Falcons are the right destination.
"If Justin Fields was the quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons right this minute, they would be a thousand times better off," ESPN's Mike Greenberg recently said on "Get Up."
"If Justin Fields was the quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons right this minute, they would be a thousand times better off."
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) October 3, 2023
—@Espngreeny pic.twitter.com/0h1aNthXEt
Barring a miraculous turnaround, Chicago will likely move on from the 24-year-old. Tankathon projects the club will hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and select Southern Cal QB Caleb Williams. If the franchise traded Fields to acquire more draft capital, it would make sense.
The Falcons offense is loaded with playmakers, such as rookie running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Drake London. However, it needs better QB play to unlock its potential. Desmond Ridder has struggled in four games, throwing the same amount of TDs and interceptions (three) and recording a below-average 29.2 QBR.
Atlanta head coach Arthur Smith signaled he's not ruling out a change at the most important position after two straight losses.
"When you're not winning, everything is on the table," Smith said in a Monday news conference. "That's your job, to make decisions. The ultimate goal is to win."
Despite Fields' upside, he might not be the answer. The 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft has a below-average 35.7 QBR this season and has only completed 60.5 percent of his passes in four seasons.
Regardless, the 2-2 Falcons are at a tipping point early in the season. If Ridder fails to improve, expect the team to look at the trading block and find another option.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!