The Chicago Bears have seven games left in the season. At 3-7, nobody believes they’re going on a miracle run. The question many need answered is what GM Ryan Poles plans to do at quarterback. Tyson Bagent has established himself as a long-term backup. That is a good thing. As for Justin Fields, that is far more complicated. He still hasn’t returned from his dislocated thumb. His time is running out to show people he deserves to keep his job beyond 2023. Rumblings persist that Poles is ready to move on, and almost certainly will if he ends up with the #1 pick next April. Kyle Long has followed the situation closely.
The former Bears guard remains a loyal fan and analyst of the organization. He’s watched Fields over the past three years like everybody else. One would think he is inclined, as most others, to make a change at the position. That is where most would be wrong. Long posted in a series of tweets that he is less in favor of dumping Fields and more interested in stacking the roster around him with more talent. He still thinks the supporting cast isn’t anywhere near where it needs to be for a fair evaluation.
Kyle Long raises a fair concern about the Bears’ situation.
People have mixed opinions on Fields. Some think he deserves more time. Others have seen enough. However, there is unity on one point. This roster isn’t good enough. They’re still lacking in several areas on offense alone. D.J. Moore is their only reliable option at wide receiver. Darnell Mooney has taken a step back. Nobody else has managed to step up. The Bears also have a glaring hole at center and still lack speed at running back. This is before getting into their issues on defense, namely the ongoing lack of an interior pass rush.
Like it or not, Kyle Long is correct. The Bears’ roster around Mitch Trubisky in 2018 was far superior to the one taking the field each week. How different would Fields look if he played on that squad? It’s a fair question. Chicago has one more cheap year of his rookie contract to consider. Giving him one more season while using those two 1st round picks to stockpile more ammunition and add potential blue-chip talent at other positions is a viable strategy. Imagine Fields throwing to Moore and Marvin Harrison Jr. with a possible left tackle or additional pass rusher for good measure.
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That said, teams don’t get many chances to land one of the top two QB prospects in a draft. Passing on that for a second time in two years would feel irresponsible. It’s a difficult debate. Fields will have his chance to settle it over the final seven games.
