BREAKING: Patriots would be “reckless,” according to Super Bowl champion, if they traded for quarterback Justin Fields.
Matt Chatham, a three-time Super Bowl champion and former linebacker for the New England Patriots, is now an analyst. He doesn’t think the team would be prudent to trade for a quarterback like Justin Fields of the Chicago Bears.
The theory that the Patriots may choose star wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. at No. 3 and utilize selections to trade for Fields has gained traction recently. On social media, Chatham, nevertheless, referred to the proposal as “a bit reckless.”
“If you’re wrong, you’ll at best be a team with a target stud like, say, Justin Jefferson, but still searching for somebody to reliably get him the ball. And the next time you’re looking, you’re likely not in as good of a position to do so,” Chatham said on X. “Today’s NFL seems pretty straightforward to me. Do whatever you must to nail QB, don’t go luxury shopping until you do.”
Fields’ skillset is undeniable, but he’s yet to emerge as a franchise-type guy over three seasons with the Bears. Whether the former first-round pick or the team is more to blame for his failures is debatable. However, the numbers tell the story of a QB who’s had plenty of time to show what kind of player he is.
Since 2021, Fields’ rookie year, 17 QBs have started 38 or more games. Among them, Fields has by far the worst record (10-28), while his statistics fall short of a bonafide starter in the league, ranking last in passing yards (6,674), completion percentage (60.3), passing touchdowns (40) and passer rating (82.3), per Stathead.
The Patriots or any other team that decides to take a chance on Fields will have to pay a heavy price.
In return for Fields, the Bears might receive second and fourth round selections in the 2024 draft, per ESPN. Adam Jahns of The Athletic, however, has issued a warning, stating that the team acquiring Fields would probably also need to pick up his $23.3 million estimated fifth-year option for 2025 in addition to having to give up assets to get him.