Ryan Clark had a long career in the NFL. He made the Pro Bowl as a safety in Pittsburgh and also helped the Steelers win the Super Bowl in 2008. During his time in the league, the man played with some pretty good quarterbacks. Kerry Collins in New York, Kirk Cousins in Washington, and of course Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh. He also played against greats like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning on a regular basis. So the guy has a firm grasp on what good QBs are supposed to look like. This is what makes his love of Justin Fields so interesting.
Make no mistake. Clark is a huge fan of the new Chicago Bears quarterback. He’s been one ever since Fields came out of high school in Georgia. In fact, he’s gone on record saying the supposed gulf between Fields and #1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence isn’t nearly as big as people make it out to be. Clark wasn’t afraid to back up his statement either with a pretty strong declaration on Get Up ESPN. When the dust settles many years from now?
Fields will be the best QB to come out of the 2021 draft class.
There are no mincing words there. Clark is absolutely certain Fields is capable of greatness in the NFL. It isn’t a matter of talent. What it comes down to in his mind is whether the Bears can build the necessary structure around him to blossom. Something many people are skeptical about. Yes, they have Allen Robinson and David Montgomery. Outside of that? There are plenty of question marks.
The offensive line is considered one of the worst in the NFL right now. Especially after releasing both starting tackles from last year. Cole Kmet and Darnell Mooney have potential but still a lot to prove. It isn’t a supporting cast that seems ideal to put around a rookie quarterback. Then again, Fields is the sort of talent that might be able to elevate it unlike Mitch Trubisky or Nick Foles.
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Justin Fields Time will have to wait for now
It is apparent that head coach Matt Nagy is determined upon his course. He doesn’t want to rush the kid onto the field before he’s ready. Granted, many like Clark believe Fields is ready right now. Just watching him and Andy Dalton in the preseason verifies it. There will be inevitable rookie moments, but it is obvious Fields gives the Bears the best chance to win. Nagy doesn’t agree. He believes Dalton can manage things fine for now.
There are supporters on both sides of this debate. Many think Justin Fields is ready to play now. Others think the Bears have the right idea to be patient with him. The more time he gets to absorb the offense and observe from the sidelines? The better prepared he’ll be when his time comes. Every week Dalton can buy him will be a benefit. This can’t be about 2021. It has to be about the next 10-15 years.
As Clark said. If things go as they should? Fields will be a superstar.
Something Bears fans have waited so many decades for. No organization has endured more disappointment at quarterback. The what-ifs of Jim McMahon. Busts like Cade McNown and Rex Grossman. Underachievers like Jay Cutler and the great-person-average-players like Mitch Trubisky. Fields has the ability to be different. To change everything.