Justin Fields to the New Orleans Saints: not as crazy as it sounds

Mock drafts predicting the New Orleans Saints making a huge move to select a quarterback have become a popular topic around Louisiana in recent years. The latest mock drafts are already speculating New Orleans drafting the likes of Kentucky’s Will Levis or Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker in this year’s event.

When the Chicago Bears selected quarterback Justin Fields 11th overall in 2021, it temporarily squashed the possibility of the Ohio State product being the new face of the Saints franchise.

Recent events might reopen the door for Fields to make his way to the Crescent City after all, and the hypothetical isn’t too far-fetched.

With Chicago holding the first overall pick in the NFL Draft on April 27, NFL executives are allegedly convinced that all options will be on the table regarding the Bears’ entire roster, including Fields, according to The Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora via Twitter.

Trading a quarterback just two years after selecting them with a premium pick might seem overdramatic, but when Fields was selected by Chicago, it was under the operation of former head coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace. Both are no longer part of the organization.

Chicago announced former Kansas City Chiefs executive Ryan Poles as their new general manager on Jan. 25, 2022 and former Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus as their new head coach two days later.

The Bears’ new leadership tandem weren’t with the team when Fields was drafted, which is why some believe they may move off Fields and use their top overall selection on another quarterback.

Fields appeared on an episode of the podcast “Pardon My Take” on Feb. 15 and was asked how he feels about “Bear weather”, alluding to the freezing cold winds often experienced in Chicago.

“I feel, like, way slower in that cold weather,” Fields said. “I hope we just get a dome. I don’t care if it’s at Soldier Field, I don’t care if we’re at Arlington Heights, I hope we get a dome.”

If a dome is what Fields wants, he’d embrace the chance not only to play in Caesars Superdome, one of the most iconic indoor venues in America, but also to live closer to his home and family in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Three other warm-weather teams reside in the NFC South: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Carolina Panthers and the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta also plays their home games indoors at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

With all four divisional teams meeting each other twice per season and each team playing eight to nine home games per year, Fields could play over half his games both indoors and in a fair-weather city with New Orleans.

With Tom Brady retiring, Atlanta shipping Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts last offseason and Carolina still struggling to replace Cam Newton, Fields could have a chance to quickly become the best quarterback in the division should he be moved.

A talented roster awaits Fields if New Orleans were to make a move. Fields joining five-time Pro Bowl running back Alvin Kamara and do-it-all utility player Taysom Hill, who combined for over 1,400 rushing yards last season, would form one of the NFC’s most potent rushing attacks.

Perhaps the most attractive asset for Fields in New Orleans is his former college teammate. The Saints drafted wide receiver Chris Olave from Ohio State with the 11th overall pick in 2022. Between 2019 and 2020, Fields and Olave connected for over 1,500 yards and 19 touchdowns for the Buckeyes.

The duo can pick up their rapport right where they left off.

For now, two-time All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas remains on the Saints roster, providing another prolific target for Fields upon arrival. Additionally, Fields can further the development of young, promising pass-catchers Juwan Johnson, Rashid Shaheed and Marquez Callaway. The trio combined for over 1,100 receiving yards and nine touchdown grabs in 2022.

Fields can potentially play behind an offensive line containing three-time Pro Bowl guard Andrus Peat, All-Pro tackle Ryan Ramczyk and rising talents in center with Erik McCoy, guard Cesar Ruiz and the 19th overall 2022 draft pick, tackle Trevor Penning.

Everything depends on what Chicago does with the first overall pick and their quarterback. If a trade is the avenue taken, New Orleans has the talent and draft capital to trade for Fields, including a first round pick this year obtained from the Denver Broncos in the Sean Payton trade.