Few wanted the narrative to surface. Sadly, it’s out there and isn’t likely to go away. Justin Fields was the best offensive player the Chicago Bears had in 2022. Nobody can argue that. He accounted for over 3400 yards of total offense and 25 touchdowns. Given the weak supporting cast, one would think that he’s done enough to earn another year on the job. However, circumstances make that decision complicated. Some feel the Bears possessing the #1 overall pick gives them an ultra-rare opportunity to find a true franchise quarterback.
Former Jets and Dolphins GM Mike Tannenbaum is already on record saying Ryan Poles should trade Fields and use the pick on his quarterback of choice. Opportunities like this don’t come around often. Tannenbaum felt like a man alone in that assessment. Not anymore. Another former executive supported the idea. Joe Banner spent two decades working in the front offices of Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Atlanta. He’s seen what franchise QBs look like, from Donovan McNabb to Matt Ryan. He explained on The 33rd Team why the Bears must make a change.
His argument follows the same beats as Tannenbaum’s.
“Why? Simple. I like to play the odds. I don’t like swimming upstream. And the odds tell me that a difference-making quarterback changes everything. At the very least, he guarantees you’re good and gives you the opportunity to be great.
Which is where Fields comes in. I don’t see him as having the ability to be a great quarterback.
When you watched him this season, what do you remember? A lot of spectacular runs, right? But he wasn’t an accurate passer. There were four games where he completed 50 percent or fewer of his attempts. Nor was he productive with his arm. He had 17 TD passes, never threw for 300 yards, 12 times threw for under 200 and had 75 in his last start.
Granted, he wasn’t surrounded by an abundance of talent, but I look at him and see limitations.”
Justin Fields did show signs of improvement.
What Banner says is harsh. Still, the facts are undeniable. Fields averaged 149.46 yards passing per game in 2022. The only other player remotely close to that is Brock Purdy at 152.7, and he’s a third-string backup. Everybody who started at least 15 games this season averaged at least 200 yards or more. Yes, Fields made up for that with the second-most rushing yards in a season in NFL history. Even so, everybody knows that kind of quarterbacking doesn’t win in the playoffs. Lamar Jackson and Michael Vick are living proof. Vick was 2-3 in the postseason. Jackson is 1-3. To reach a Super Bowl, you must be able to throw the football.
The pressing question is this. Is Poles confident a strong supporting cast can unlock Justin Fields as a passer? He did show flashes of progress down the stretch. His processing improved. The accuracy was there. Maybe better protection and receivers that can get open consistently allow him to thrive. Banner doesn’t see that happening. Fields has had two years to show he’s capable of being something special. There hasn’t been enough evidence. Chicago needs to hit the reset button while the opportunity is there.
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We’ll soon find out whether Poles agrees or not.
