Russini: What I’m learning about the Bears, Kirk Cousins, and other teams at the NFL combine

It’s a pleasure to end the conversation (I may or may not be icing my face from all the gabbing) and share with you the most recent information I’m hearing around the NFL after spending almost a week in Indianapolis at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine talking with general managers, coaches, agents, and sources all around the league.

Given all the discussion about the team that owns the keys to the top of the NFL Draft in restaurants, coffee shops, and convention center halls, it wasn’t difficult to figure out the Chicago Bears’ quarterback Clue game, even if they intended to keep their moves a secret.

various league sources I was informed that the Bears are attempting to move past Entering the last year of his rookie deal is Justin Fields. With the first and ninth picks, the team seems intent on selecting USC quarterback Caleb Williams with its first pick.

Williams recently stated in an interview that, should he be selected, he would be thrilled to be a Bear, dispelling rumors that he had no interest in playing in Chicago. When I spoke with members of the Bears’ senior brass, they seemed happy that Williams had just expressed interest in Chicago. The majority of Williams’ in-person meeting with Chicago’s team was spent reviewing installation and watching his recall and process on the whiteboard.

The Bears’ decision-makers would prefer to decide on Fields’ future as their starting quarterback prior to the NFL free agency window opening on March 13. They may not always succeed, but that is what they would want. Ryan Poles, the general manager, stated candidly that he wants Fields to “do right” and that he realizes “no one wants to live in the gray area.”

To assess his worth, the organization used the majority of the week to gauge interest around the league. Before interested clubs seriously explore a trade for Fields, the Bears may need to move in the veteran quarterback market, which includes Kirk Cousins and Baker Mayfield. Despite the fact that I anticipate a strong market for Fields given clubs like the Raiders, Broncos, Steelers and The quarterback position seems to be soft right now, which is why the Falcons are all looking for one.

Getting any team to show a lot of interest was difficult. The issue with the current date was clarified by one general manager of NFC, saying, “When people know you are getting rid of something, they don’t pay as much for it.”