The NFL is a quarterback-driven league. Everybody knows this. It’s been that way since the late 1950s when Johnny Unitas brought the position into the modern era. In the decades since, its importance has only been magnified. Sadly, the Chicago Bears haven’t been able to keep up with the times. They’ve tried. The franchise has spent six 1st round picks on quarterbacks since 1982. They’ve made a combined two Pro Bowls. Jay Cutler cost two 1st round picks to acquire via trade. Now Justin Fields looks like another disappointing experiment.
Already, people are talking about replacing him next off-season. The Bears will have the #1 pick in the draft, barring an unexpected run by Carolina down the stretch. GM Ryan Poles will be free to take any QB in the 2024 class he wants. Nobody would blame him. He didn’t draft Fields, and the 24-year-old hasn’t shown enough progress as a passer to make anybody think he will magically turn into Patrick Mahomes. Everything points to taking a QB, right?
Well, yes. However, there is an argument that can made against it. Football might be quarterback-driven, but it’s still a team sport. Contrary to popular myth, several all-time great quarterbacks have failed to win a championship. A perfect example of that is Dan Marino.
Building a great roster is just as important as Justin Fields.
Great quarterbacks are only as good as what’s around them. Marino is proof of that. While he had some excellent receivers during much of his career in Miami, he was rarely supported by a strong running game or a good defense. Across the first 15 years of his career, the Dolphins fielded a top-10 defense only three times. This lesson shows up more than you think. Landing the franchise-altering quarterback is vital, but even that might not achieve the ultimate goal without a complete roster.
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This is where the Bears should consider keeping Justin Fields, at least for the time being. It gives Poles a golden opportunity to use those two top 10 selections to secure potential blue-chip players for other key positions. Maybe they hope to add a star receiver like Marvin Harrison Jr., a franchise left tackle like Olu Fashanu or Joe Alt, or a dynamic pass rusher to play across from Montez Sweat. That could take an ascending roster into full readiness for a deep playoff run.
This way, if Justin Fields falters again next year, the Bears can focus their entire 2025 off-season on finding the quarterback they need. Whoever they end up adding will walk into one of the best situations in the NFL.
