National media outlet says Buccaneers should trade for former first round pick this offseason
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have a new starting quarterback in 2023. But we aren't sure yet who that will be. Maybe it's Kyle Trask, the former Florida standout who was drafted by the Buccaneers in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Or maybe Tampa signs Jimmy Garoppolo or Derek Carr. There are […]
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have a new starting quarterback in 2023.
But we aren't sure yet who that will be.
Maybe it's Kyle Trask, the former Florida standout who was drafted by the Buccaneers in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Or maybe Tampa signs Jimmy Garoppolo or Derek Carr.
There are several different paths the Bucs can take. And which path they take will likely depend on how the rest of the quarterback chips fall this offseason (such as what Aaron Rodgers plans to do in 2023).
Pro Football Network tossed out an idea this past week for the Bucs that would involve Tampa pulling off a blockbuster trade with another NFC team.
PFN suggested that the Buccaneers should trade for Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields, the No. 11 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
New Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales gained experience working with Geno Smith and Russell Wilson in Seattle. Having a strong-armed, vertical passing quarterback like Fields should feel quite familiar for Canales. Then, there’s the unquestioned boost Fields would benefit from with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin at his disposal.
Tampa has the motivation, assets, and current situation that’s best for Fields to quickly reach new heights, but that might be the reason Chicago shies away from a deal with the Bucs, as they’re also in the NFC.
Is trading for Justin Fields a realistic option for the Buccaneers?
Despite the Bears finishing with the worst record in the NFL in 2022, Fields emerged as one of the most electric players in the NFL.
The former Ohio State star nearly broke Lamar Jackson's record for the most rushing yards in a season by a quarterback. Fields also showed that he can throw one of the best deep balls in the NFL. The only thing keeping Fields from being a legitimate superstar is the lack of an above-average supporting cast (his supporting cast wasn't even "average" last season).
If Fields landed in Tampa, he'd instantly have a better set of weapons around him than he had in Chicago.
But I don't see a trade involving Fields happening between the two teams.
For starters, Bears general manager Ryan Poles has made it clear that Fields is their guy.
Even if that's just "GM speak", it wouldn't make much sense for Chicago trade Fields.
The only way Chicago is trading Fields is if they decide they like Bryce Young or CJ Stroud — two of the top quarterback prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft — better than Fields. And I don't see that being the case.
Why start over with an unknown when the Bears already have a player that can be absolutely electric on Sundays?
The idea of Fields in Tampa is fun, but it's an extremely unlikely scenario. And Bucs fans shouldn't get their hopes up. Fields isn't going anywhere. Tampa will have look elsewhere for a franchise quarterback if they decide Trask isn't their guy.
Featured image via Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
