GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus knew their decision at quarterback was already made before they took over. Justin Fields was the Chicago Bears’ 1st round pick in 2021. The organization had an investment in his future, and they wanted to see if it could be brought to fruition. That said, the two men in charge knew they couldn’t make any promises about the future. After all, they didn’t draft Fields and hadn’t even met him yet.
An evaluation was needed. Relationships had to be built. If there were any signs that the young QB wasn’t what they were looking for, they could make plans for a possible transition in 2023. Except it doesn’t appear such contingencies are on their mind. According to insider Dan Graziano of ESPN, the top brass have become enamored with Fields over the past few months. His work ethic, confidence, and talent have them believing he is a guy they can build around.
“Chicago’s coaches and decision-makers to whom I spoke are fired up about second-year quarterback Justin Fields. No, Ryan Poles isn’t the general manager who drafted him and Matt Eberflus wasn’t the coach when he was drafted No. 11 overall, but the new regime is saying all good things about Fields, the way he works, his intelligence, his presence (on the field and in the huddle) and his raw talent. The Bears believe they have the right young quarterback to build around.”
Graziano isn’t the only one hearing this either. Jordan Schultz echoed similar sentiments, stating that the relationship between Fields and new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy is rock solid.
NFL insider @Schultz_Report likes all the young QBs, but zeroes in on Justin Fields as a mega-breakout star for the Bears!
Who’s your second-year breakout QB this season? pic.twitter.com/4GBeKp5T3T
— The Game Day NFL (@TheGameDayNFL) August 11, 2022
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Justin Fields is ready to prove it in actual games.
His training camp to this point can best be called encouraging. It hasn’t always been smooth, but the young quarterback has shown consistent progress over the past two weeks. His two most recent sessions may have been his best to date. His big arm and legs remain deadly weapons, but his ability to process and get the ball out faster has begun to stand out. He has more ground to cover before he’s ready. Still, it is hard to ignore his progress.
If the fans and media can see it from limited video clips, then one can only imagine what the coaches are seeing. They’re with him every day. That might explain the growing buzz inside Halas Hall. It is hard to tell what Justin Fields will do this year. He still has a thin arsenal of weapons and questionable protection. Expectations may still need tempering. However, it isn’t unreasonable to think he will be considerably better this season.
The Bears have to find a way of fixing the o-line. Looks like same addition as last year
Yeah, Justin Fields will make life in Chicago, a lot easier for Matt Eberflus and Ryan Poles.
Thanks, Ryan Pace!
If we can Run The Damn Ball everything will be fine. It helps the defense rest. It makes the play action game so much more dangerous. It makes the TE deadly. And it opens everything up. This scheme comes down to execution by O linemen and backs. I want to see all 4 backs popping 4, 5, 7, 12 yard gains. If we see that, it will be a fun game and a fun season.
I just want to see an offense that makes sense…….an offense that players buy into……that alone will make a big difference
Evaluating who is (and who isn’t) going to be an excellent NFL QB seems to be one of the toughest judgments to make in sports. Every year for decades teams get this wrong e.g. all the teams that passed on Aaron Rogers and Pat Mahomes in the draft. Some QBs shine early and some need several years before everything clicks. I’m hopeful for Fields but reserving judgment. Still, it’s good to hear an outsider who may be more objective expressing excitement over the Bears QB.