Justin Fields is going to be the central topic of conversation around the Chicago Bears for the next four weeks. It looks like a foregone conclusion that the team will land the #1 overall pick again next year. That means GM Ryan Poles will again have a chance to take any quarterback in the entire class. That means he must make a decision. Has Fields played well enough to justify more time as the starter, or is the time right to move on? Greg Olsen has a unique perspective on this.
He played in the NFL for a long time. Much of it was spent with legitimate franchise quarterbacks like Cam Newton and Russell Wilson. He also spent his early years in Chicago, so he knows the organization’s tortured history at the position. When the topic of Fields came up, he offered his opinion on what the Bears should do. In his mind, it’s not a hard one. Unless Fields displays signs of true superstar capability down the stretch, it is time to move on. Even if the QB the Bears end up drafting proves to be on the exact same level as Fields, it will still be a win for them because they will have that on a cheap contract for another four years.
Greg Olsen raises the crux of the matter.
Fields has one year left on his rookie contract. That means 2024 will be the last cheap season they have of him at $6 million. If they pick up his 5th-year option, that number increases to around $22 million. From there, they have to decide if they want to pay him $40+ million per year, which is the going rate for even an average quarterback these days. The New York Giants just paid Daniel Jones that much and they’re already regretting it. The same goes with the New Orleans Saints and the $37 million they gave Derek Carr.
QB contracts can be anchors to a team’s ability to compete. The smart play is not to pay one unless you’re 100% certain he is a top 10 guy in the NFL. Greg Olsen doesn’t see that from Fields. The Bears QB has improved, there is no denying that. However, it hasn’t been enough. He still can’t be called a consistent passer. His pocket presence remains okay at best, while his processing is still a tick too slow. Yes, he’s a great athlete and can cover things up with his legs.
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Is that worth paying him all that money? Olsen doesn’t think so.
