Justin Fields finally gets to see action in a Chicago Bears practice uniform this weekend. Rookie minicamps are set to begin with the entire 2021 draft class as well as 13 undrafted free agents and several veterans participating. To kickstart things, Fields stepped in front of the media for the first time since shortly after going 11th overall in the 1st round. He certainly looked calm and comfortable donning his orange practice jersey.
He answered an array of interesting questions. In regards to the starting job? He made it clear he’s aiming to win it this summer and understands and trusts Matt Nagy and the coaching staff have a plan for him. If that means sitting? He’ll do it. Nothing about the new offense has confused him thus far. Much of it is similar to what he experienced at Ohio State. However, his most telling answer came when he was asked about the intense spotlight he’s under both as a 1st round pick and playing for an organization like the Bears.
The young man didn’t even flinch in his reply.
“I’ve been in the spotlight since high school. I kind of feel that I’m made for this, I’m built for this. It’s nothing new for me.”
This is the truth. Fields had cameras on him even back in high school when playing at Harrison High in Kennesaw, Georgia. He was the focus of a documentary called “QB1.” One of his games was televised by ESPN his senior year. He attended and excelled in the acclaimed Elite 11 quarterback camp that was streamed nationally as well. Then he played two years for a powerhouse program at Ohio State.
Fields is no stranger to the cameras. By this point, he’s long since used to them. Not only that, he’s learned how to play well in their presence. The brighter the lights, the better he seems to perform. That was undoubtedly a big reason the Bears were drawn to him. Playing in a big city like Chicago with its rabid fans is not easy. It takes somebody with the mental fortitude to handle it. Fields appears to have that.
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Justin Fields knows what is expected of him
The Bears drafted him 11th overall for a reason. They traded up for the privilege. They believe he has the capability to be a legitimate franchise quarterback. Somebody who can carry this organization into the future. That is a heavy burden to bear. Only a handful of men in the NFL have proven capable of doing so. None have managed to handle the pressure cooker of Chicago. Not since Jim McMahon had his run in the 1980s and even that was pockmarked by problems.
From a talent perspective? Justin Fields is the best this organization has ever drafted. His mixture of size, speed, athleticism, and arm strength is top tier in every way. What people still aren’t sure about is whether he can handle the steep demand the speed of the NFL places on a quarterback. Physical skills are great but always determined by the player’s ability to process information at a high speed.
Fields needs to reach that point.
He showed signs of it last season. Reading what the defenses were doing and making the correct adjustments pre and post-snap. He moved through progressions and found the open man, manipulated safeties with his eyes and so on. Fields can do all of the things an NFL quarterback must do. He just has to do it a lot faster now. Hopefully, that will come with more time.