Photo of Ryan Poles weaing hoodie and photo of Justing Fields in Bears gear


An ESPN radio host has made claims regarding what the Bears plan to do with their No. 1 overall pick.

The Bears are in a pretty enviable position right now as they have both the top pick for the upcoming draft, as well as a quarterback whom they could get decent value for. According to ESPN1000’s David Kaplan, they’ve already decided to draft Caleb Williams, which would mean that Fields will be on the trading block.

Williams has long been tipped to go No. 1 overall in 2024. The QB earned Heisman honors in 2022 and has already drawn comparisons to Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes.

The Bears have been leaning toward drafting him for a while, according to multiple reports. However, former NFL signal-caller Donovan McNabb reckons they’re bending to outside pressure.

“I think the Bears are caught up in the public cry right now,” the former Eagles QB told CBS Sports. “Don’t get me wrong, I think Caleb Williams — with the right system and the right people around him — could be a generational talent. But we said the same thing for Justin and all these other guys.”

McNabb, born and raised in Chicago, has spoken to several QB prospects ahead of the draft, including Jayden Daniels and Michael Penix Jr. He says Fields would be better off staying in Chicago and that the Bears would do well to use their No. 1 pick to build around him.

“I think Justin would be better suited to stay in Chicago, and they would go into the draft and build around him,” he added. “I think the best thing for them to do is to trade that (No. 1) pick and get more picks and continue to build that defense, get some more offensive linemen and skill positions.

“Maybe they drop down to the second or third pick and then get Marvin Harrison Jr. to come in there with D.J. Moore when you have two or three other picks you’d receive, that would help.”

Fields was recently linked to the Steelers but talk of a potential move died down after it was reported that they were looking to build around Kenny Picket. Meanwhile, the team was scheduled to meet with free agent Russell Wilson today and could bring him in as a backup.