CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 31: Justin Fields #1 of the Chicago Bears looks on prior to a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Soldier Field on December 31, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

Things are clearly already heating up at the NFL Scouting Combine where a top trade partner for Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields has emerged.

According to NBC Sports Chicago’s Josh Schrock, the Atlanta Falcons have emerged as the No. 1 trade option for Fields as we get closer to the NFL Draft.

The Falcons have reportedly contacted the Bears as conversations are in the beginning stages.

“A league source told NBC Sports Chicago that the Falcons have checked in with the Bears about Fields. It’s unclear how far those conversations went but there’s reason to expect them to pick back up this week in Indianapolis.”

Justin Fields may have won over the Chicago Bears’ locker room in his polarizing three seasons but it appears the former first-round quarterback is closer than ever to being traded.

Fields has stated publicly he’d like to remain with the Bears, who drafted him No. 11 overall in 2021, but nobody truly believes the franchise will trade out of the number one overall pick for a second-straight season.

All indications are the team will retain the selection and target one of this year’s consensus top QB prospects, such as USC’s Caleb Williams.

The Bears desperately want to turn this franchise around as their last win was on January 16th of 2011. They have made the playoffs two times since their last postseason win — in 2018 and 2020 — and went 0-2.

The Atlanta Falcons have not been to the playoffs since 2017, which was the year they blew a 28-3 lead in the Super Bowl. They are also trying to turn around the franchise.