C.J. Stroud says Bears would be ‘smart’ to keep QB Justin Fields

One of the biggest offseason questions this spring revolves around what the Chicago Bears will do with quarterback Justin Fields.

Chicago owns the No. 1 overall pick for the second consecutive year and will have the option of either keeping Fields and trading the pick or drafting a quarterback at the top of the draft and trading Fields.

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, who was briefly a teammate of Fields’ at Ohio State, told USA Today Sports during Super Bowl week that the Bears should stick with their quarterback for a fourth year.

‘They should, if they’re smart,” Stroud said. “But, you know …”

#Texans QB CJ Stroud when asked whether the Bears should keep Justin Fields

“They should if they’re smart but you know…” pic.twitter.com/LImd70kAfi

— brandon (@DrakeMayeMVP) February 19, 2024

Stroud was a redshirt freshman during Fields’ final year at Ohio State. Fields went No. 11 to the Bears in 2021, while Stroud went No. 2 to the Texans two years later.

The college connection notwithstanding, Stroud’s reasons likely revolve around continuity over uncertainty. Top quarterback prospects Caleb Williams and Drake Maye have been highly touted this year, but none are locks to become superstars.

Fields hasn’t proven to be elite yet, either, but he showed improvement in 2023 and now has a new offensive coordinator in Shane Waldron. The Bears could fetch a sizable amount of assets for the No. 1 pick, too, much like they did in 2023 when the Carolina Panther sent wide receiver D.J. Moore and the pick that became the No. 1 selection this year to Chicago for the right to draft Bryce Young.

Funny enough, that decision led almost directly to the Texans taking Stroud with the next pick.

The reasons to move on from Fields are solid, too. Chicago would get a quarterback at the start of his cheaper rookie contract (Fields will be eligible for an extension soon) and a clean slate under center.

Houston will play the Bears at home in 2024, so there’s a chance Stroud will or won’t see Fields on the opposite sideline.