The Chicago Bears have officially broken for the summer. Now the wait commences for training camp at the end of July. Until then, coaches and players will get away, rest, and prepare for the grind to come. However, that doesn’t mean the work is over. The team is still looking for ways to improve their roster, even if it’s on the margins. That became the case again when news dropped that they signed veteran linebacker Tony Fields II. Unlike typical free agents, this one comes from the United Football League.
Fields spent this past season with the Columbus Aviators. While the team struggled to a 3-7 record, the linebacker was one of their bright spots. Across ten games, he collected 77 tackles, which tied for the second-most in the league. He also added five tackles for a loss and a sack. This earned him All-UFL honors. Clearly it got the attention of the Bears, who’ve been dealing with a slew of injuries at linebacker in recent weeks. Fields brings them much-needed depth and competition going into camp.
The appeal of Tony Fields is obvious for the Bears.
As a 5th round pick coming out of Arizona in 2021, experts saw an undersized player who excelled at tackling and blitzing. He played with good patience and instincts. Those skills make for a good fit in Dennis Allen’s defense. He got limited playing time during his four seasons with the Cleveland Browns, making 52 tackles and an interception. After leaving, he spent time on the Los Angeles Rams’ practice squad before departing last season. That is how he found his way to the UFL.
Perhaps his biggest appeal to the Bears was his special teams experience. Fields made 15 combined tackles in the third phase during his time in Cleveland. The team is notorious for being on the lookout for special teams help all the time. Richard Hightower has a sharp eye for such players. Fields, with his instincts and aggressiveness, fits that role pretty well. That experience could help him a lot in the crowded linebacker room the team suddenly has.
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It’s nice to see the Bears remain open to alternatives.
One of the more frustrating parts of the franchise is that they haven’t always been willing to dip into talent pools beyond free agency and the draft. Places like Canada, overseas, or upstart spring leagues haven’t seen much action from them over the years. Tony Fields now represents the second time they’ve dabbled in the UFL. Ironically, the previous one, DeMarquis Gates, was also a linebacker. He ended up serving as a decent backup for the team. Fields probably has a similar role in his future.
No doubt he is hoping for a better result than what he got with the Aviators. It’s never fun being the worst team in the league. Chicago is fresh off a division title and aiming even higher this season. If the defense and special teams can match the offense’s success, this could be a fun year. The good news for Fields is this isn’t uncharted territory. He knows how NFL training camps work and what it takes to win the race for a roster spot. That could give him an edge in the hard summer to come.
