The debate has been ongoing for years. Justin Fields and Trevor Lawrence have been connected since the two came out of high school when they went head-to-head at the Elite 11 football camp. Things hit a new fever pitch when they met in the College Football Playoffs two years in a row. Lawrence won the first in 2019, while Fields took the second in 2020. Many wondered who would be the #1 overall pick of the draft last year. That debate never got off the ground, as Lawrence was the favorite from the start for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Yet Fields didn’t even get the common courtesy of going #2 or even #3. Those sports were reserved for Zach Wilson and Trey Lance. So when he landed with the Chicago Bears at 11th overall, he had a chip on his shoulder. He was going to show everybody what a colossal mistake they made. It took some time. He went through typical struggles for a young player as a rookie and the first month of 2022. That isn’t the case anymore. Fields has ten touchdown passes, five touchdown runs, only three interceptions, and 1600 total yards in the past six games. He has emerged as one of the most electric quarterbacks in football.
That inevitably opened up the debate once again. Lawrence or Fields? Former scout and NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah made his stance clear. Lawrence is in a better situation, but Fields is the better quarterback.
Justin Fields is doing more with less.
Lawrence has just over 1500 yards, eight touchdowns, and four interceptions in the past six games. This comes despite a series of advantages. He has the 7th-ranked rushing attack supporting him. His offensive line has only allowed 11 sacks in that stretch. His receiving corps is also more proven with Christian Kirk, Marvin Jones, Zay Jones, and Evan Engram. If that weren’t enough, he’s faced a manageable schedule, including Houston, Indianapolis, and Las Vegas. Only two of those games were on the road.
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As for Justin Fields? He had to slug it out with Minnesota, New England, Dallas, Washington, and Miami. Four of those teams are playoff contenders, and the other is 5-5 after having just beat the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles. Three of the past six games were also on the road. Fields has only two reliable targets in Darnell Mooney and Cole Kmet, and his offensive line allowed 20 sacks during that stretch. It hasn’t mattered. He’s balled out anyway.
Nobody is saying Lawrence is a bad quarterback. He should still end up a quality player in the NFL. However, what Jeremiah says isn’t out of place. Fields might have already surpassed him.
