Justin Fields has been the Chicago Bears quarterback since April 2021, but is he the future? Three seasons into one of the most discussed QBs in Bears history may be coming to an end.
For the second consecutive season, General Manager Ryan Poles has an intriguing, yet franchise-altering decision to make during the NFL off-season. Keep Fields, one of the league’s most athletically gifted players, at QB for another season, or draft a quarterback with one of the top picks.
The Bears finished the 2022 season 3-14, ranked as both one of the worst offenses and defenses in football. Still, Fields showed promise, especially with his legs. He ran for 1,143 yards, eight rushing touchdowns and attempted carrying the Bears to wins. From week 7-11, the Bears averaged 29.6 points on offense, including three 30+ point performances, yet Chicago went 1-4.
Heading into the 2023 season, Chicago chose to trade the No. 1 pick to the Carolina Panthers. Carolina took Alabama QB Bryce Young with the top selection, while the Bears received the Panthers’ 9th overall selection, a 2023 second-round pick, Carolina’s 2024 first-round selection, a 2025 second-round pick and wide receiver DJ Moore.
Despite drafting Young, the Panthers possess the worst record in the NFL, which places Poles in nearly an identical position as last season.
Moore has put together his best NFL season in Chicago, catching 92 passes for a career-high 1,300 yards and eight touchdowns. Moore ascended to a true No. 1 wide receiver — something Fields had yet to have in his career. Fields has showcased more promise throwing the ball this season, and Moore is the primary reason for that.
Head coach Matt Eberflus and the Bears defense have drastically improved over the first 16 games, which accounts for the win total increase. Poles made the gutsy move to trade for Washington Commanders defensive end Montez Sweat. Washington received a 2024 second-round selection, while the Bears defense has looked special since his arrival.
Sweat has applied pressure to opposing QBs, while helping the young defensive line showcase their talents. Rookie defensive lineman Gervon Dexter Sr. has accumulated all his 2.5 sacks since Sweat’s arrival. Dexter Sr. put together his best NFL performance against the Atlanta Falcons in week 17. He added 1.5 sacks, four tackles and hit Falcons QBs twice.
Similar to Dexter Sr., defensive end DeMarcus Walker has improved performance since Sweat’s arrival. He has six QB hits and one sack over the past three games.
Chicago leads the NFL with 22 interceptions, which includes 16 over the past six games.
Rookie DB Tyrique Stevenson, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and DB Jaylon Johnson all have four interceptions this season. While Stevenson began his rookie campaign slowly, he has made some impressive plays during the season’s progression, and leads all rookies in interceptions. Stevenson added two more interceptions against the Atlanta Falcons week 17 — the best performance of his NFL career.
Johnson remains one of the league’s top cornerbacks, and has been looking for a contract extension with the Bears. The Bears’ second-round pick in the 2020 draft has continued to elevate his play in his fourth season in Chicago.
Fields continued to progress as the Bears quarterback, and he gained more momentum against the Falcons. He made more Houdini-like plays in the Bears’ 37-17 win, but he showed more progress as a pocket passer. Fields and Moore connected for nine catches, 159 yards and a touchdown. In total, Fields combined for 313 yards and two touchdowns in the 20-point win.
Chicago plays division rival Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Jan. 7 — the most important game of the season. The Bears haven’t beaten Green Bay since Dec. 2018, and haven’t won at Lambeau Field since 2015. Bears-Packers is one of the league’s oldest rivalries, and winning the final game of the season against Green Bay could change doubter’s minds.
The Bears and GM Poles have a franchise-altering decision to make. USC QB Caleb Williams has yet to declare for the NFL Draft, but he is the presumed No. 1 pick in April. The 22-year-old won the 2022 Heisman Trophy competing for the Trojans. Williams offers generational playmaking ability and arm strength. Plenty of draft scouts have compared his play style to two-time NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes.
While the opportunity to draft Williams is a definite possibility, the Bears could pick up Fields’ fifth-year option and try to build around the ascending quarterback. In this scenario, the Bears would trade the No. 1 pick to a QB-needy team and draft one of the top college wide receivers.
With one week remaining, the draft is perfectly lined up to trade down again. The Washington Commanders and New England Patriots have the second and third picks, and could trade up to draft Williams. The Bears could swap first-round selections and still select Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., Louisiana State’s Malik Nabers or Washington Huskies’ Rome Odunze.
Chicago nearly making the playoffs, while also having the No. 1 selection is unique. The Bears’ decision at the 2024 draft should set the team up for future success.
Click here for more NFL content!
Follow us on Twitter for all sports news!
Subscribe to Fantom Sports on YouTube