The NFL concluded the Super Bowl last week, and the NFL Scouting Combine will begin in one week. This week’s news from the league was a little slow, but that’s great with me because I’m heading to the Combine.
I enjoy the brief pause in the action. The NFL is slow right now, so I was able to take a day off, which was my first since July.
I also enjoy driving my ancient Jeep Wrangler TJ with the top down and thinking about life and sports! The outcome of those weeklong travels is as follows.
It’s still unknown what will happen to Justin Fields, the quarterback for the Chicago Bears. With Fields, a former first-round selection who is still developing, and the No. 11 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Bears have two options. Caleb Williams, the quarterback for USC, will most likely be selected with that choice; we simply don’t know if the Bears or another team will make the pick.
What the Bears think of Fields, or what they could acquire in return for him, will determine whether or not they move off the pick (perhaps with the Broncos?). Although it has been said that Chicago will not move Fields (since that is what they have to say), there has recently been conjecture that he might wind up in another team.
Fields is apparently a favorite player of Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, and the team ought to consider upgrading from Kenny Pickett. Chicago might not be able to refuse Fields’ asking price if the Bears offer them a first-round selection in exchange. There are still moves like Fields that need to happen before we can predict what the Broncos will do.
Fields doesn’t suit the characteristics that head coach Sean Payton is looking for in a quarterback (rhythm, timing), thus I don’t think the Broncos are interested in him. But if the Bears cut him go, they’ll select Williams first overall. The clubs behind them (such as the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots) will either select one of the other “big three” college quarterbacks or demand even more for the selections if they stay and select Williams. In either case, the Steelers may decide to alter their game plan against the Broncos.
The addition of experienced quarterback Jameis Winston by the Broncos this summer has not been well received by the public. The QB for the New Orleans Saints is familiar with Payton, and he performed well under the seasoned mentor. After throwing 30 interceptions in a season, Winston improved and became very safe with the ball under Payton’s tutelage.
We’ll see if the Broncos, as most in the league anticipate, can make a strong push up into the top five of the NFL Draft. If so, there won’t be much of a need for a man like Winston. However, Denver will require a player similar to Winston if they wind up selecting a quarterback in the second or third round. If the team drafts a passer who takes time to develop, Jarrett Stidham needs to be upgraded because he didn’t demonstrate last year that he could be a productive starter.
One of his teammates’ favorites, Winston can take Payton’s strict coaching. His easygoing manner meshes well with Payton’s traditional methods. With Payton, Winston could come in and win games. In reality, Winston could make the Broncos playoff challengers if he were given the opportunity to start the majority of the regular season.
