The Chicago Bears have the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. They also have quarterback Justin Fields, who will be entering his third year in the NFL next season. The presumed idea is that the Bears could trade that pick in order to stock up on weapons and protection to surround Fields with as he grows and progresses.
However, former NFL GM Mike Tannenbaum has a different thought. He thinks the Bears should select Alabama’s Bryce Young with the first pick and trade Fields instead.
Draft Bryce Young and trade Justin Fields from former GM and VP Mike Tannenbaum 🤯. Give me your thoughts Chicago! #DaBears #Bears #ChicagoBears pic.twitter.com/y50gDegwGp
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) January 10, 2023
“I would trade Justin Fields, and I’m taking nothing away from him,” Tannenbaum said Tuesday on Get Up.
That’s a spicy take! While he struggled as a rookie under Matt Nagy, Fields showed some real moments of growth in 2022. Despite the Bears ending the season with a franchise-worst 10-game losing streak and a 3-14 record, Fields did enough to convince Bears GM Ryan Poles that he has his quarterback of the future.
“I thought Justin did a good job,” Poles said Tuesday. “I thought we changed a lot, we adapted, we tried to put him in a position to be successful, he showed the ability to be a playmaker. Be impactful. He can change games quickly. Does he have room to grow? He does. He has to get better as a passer, and I’m excited to see him take those steps as we move forward.”
In two seasons, Field has 2,242 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, along with 160 carries for 1,143 yards and eight rushing TDs.
Expect to hear this discussion point a lot in the coming weeks until the draft gets here, but for now, Tannenbaum’s comments got some good reactions.
“My immediate thought: This is why Mike Tannenbaum no longer has a job as an NFL GM or VP. Use the pick to build around Justin Fields. And if you get *only* 4 starters with the amount or resources available, you didn’t do your job,” said Erik Duerrwaechter.
My immediate thought:
This is why Mike Tannenbaum no longer has a job as an NFL GM or VP.
Use the pick to build around Justin Fields. And if you get *only* 4 starters with the amount or resources available, you didn’t do your job.
— Erik Duerrwaechter (@EDuerrwaechter) January 10, 2023
“I for one think it’s funny that the guy who traded up to draft Mark Sanchez thinks the Bears should trade away Justin Fields,” said NY Post’s Jeremy Layton.
I for one think it's funny that the guy who traded up to draft Mark Sanchez thinks the Bears should trade away Justin Fields
— Jeremy (@JeromeyR0me) January 10, 2023
