A few weeks ago, some interesting information emerged about the pre-draft process for Justin Fields. Prior to being selected by the Chicago Bears 11th overall, the quarterback was subject to an intelligence test. One constructed by renowned sports psychologist Scott Goldman. It is called the Athletic Intelligence Quotient (AIQ). It assesses the innate cognitive abilities that are most utilized in attaining, developing, and applying athletic skills, strategies, and tactics. Teams from every major sport use it to assess players.
To date, over 6,500 athletes have taken it. Typically the higher somebody scores, the more likely they are to have on-field success as professionals. For example, Patrick Mahomes had a 108. For context, the highest somebody can score is 130. So he did really well. Buffalo Bills star QB Josh Allen had the same score. Apparently, according to former Bears quarterback Mark Sanchez, Fields topped everybody.
How well did he do?
Goldman appeared on The Sportscaster and Her Son podcast with Peggy Kusinski to talk about it. It seems the new Bears quarterback was a bit of a unicorn. Across the range of different sections of the test, an athlete usually has one or two areas where they score poorly. Fields did not. He was somewhere between average and exceptional in every single category. His highest mark came in “learning efficiency,” his ability to absorb and retain information.
Goldman admitted the young quarterback was beyond impressive. At one point he said that the score Fields put up was on the same levels as a number of players in the NFL who have either won a league MVP or a Super Bowl title. Or both. That should offer an idea of just how high the ceiling is for this young man.
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Justin Fields isn’t intimidated by the challenges ahead
As the man himself said a few weeks ago, he feels he’s “made for this.” Bears coaches have already said through the first practices that he has a presence about him. A self-confidence. It isn’t just about what he can do physically. Fields separates himself from how he operates between the ears. How he leads, how he absorbs information, and how he uses it all to his advantage.
That is what should excite fans most of all. Too often with previous Bears quarterbacks, they either had the physical tools but not the mental acuity or they had the intelligence but not the raw athletic ability. By the sound of things, Justin Fields has both. That is what makes him so scary. If he masters the NFL level as many think he will, then the sky truly is the limit. It will fall to the Bears to give him as much help as possible.
Something they’re prepared to do.
Already they began investing heavily in the offensive line and overhauled the wide receiver position. Head coach Matt Nagy and GM Ryan Pace understand their futures ride on Fields being a success. They must do everything in their power to ensure it happens. That means proper coaching and the best supporting cast they can muster. It is going to be quite a ride watching this develop.