The 2024 NFL Draft is only a few weeks away, and speculation is still brewing about what the Chicago Bears will do with the No. 1 overall pick, as the team has either been unable or unwilling to trade star quarterback Justin Fields.
As of right now, all signs continue to point to the Bears drafting USC superstar quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick on April 25, as the team’s actions all seem to indicate a desire to make that happen.
On Wednesday, there was another move made by the Bears that seems to show the team’s desire to part ways with Fields and bring in Williams as their new face of the franchise.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Chicago has agreed to terms with veteran quarterback Brett Rypien, who would presumably be the backup for Williams moving forward.
The #Bears have agreed to terms with QB Brett Rypien on a one-year contract.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2024
Here are some fan reactions to the latest news about the Bears and their quarterback controversy ahead of the draft:
Fields is gone
— HotStreak Fantasy (@JoinHotStreak) March 13, 2024
say goodbye to Justin Fields
— csb (@itsCSB__) March 13, 2024
Well, fields is gone!
— Grumpy ☄️ (@TonyMguru) March 13, 2024
The bears land their backup QB
— Sanaynay (@Sanaynay9) March 13, 2024
The only problem the Bears seem to have right now is the lack of options for Fields on the trade market, with a lot of teams that had quarterback vacancies filling their voids under center, namely Kirk Cousins signing with the Atlanta Falcons.
Along with Cousins signing with the Falcons, the Las Vegas Raiders brought in Gardner Minshew, Jacoby Brissett landed with the New England Patriots, Baker Mayfield returned to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Russell Wilson inked a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
However, the Denver Broncos still need a quarterback, which means the Bears could try to negotiate a deal there if they can’t find another opportunity elsewhere.
NEXT: Analyst Claims Justin Fields Should Play A Different Position