The Chicago Bears have tried to navigate their schedule for the past month without starting quarterback Justin Fields. A strange situation surrounded his dislocated thumb. There were reports that many in the building were surprised he didn’t return against New Orleans. When he failed to play against Carolina, it raised suspicions about what was really going on. Thankfully, it appears the speculation will soon end. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network revealed that Fields is expected to play on Sunday against the Detroit Lions, provided his practice on Wednesday goes off without a hitch.
Backup quarterback Tyson Bagent did everything he could to keep the team afloat. All things considered, the undrafted rookie overachieved with a 2-2 record. If not for a rough 4th quarter in New Orleans, he might’ve gone 3-1. Now it will be on Fields to answer several questions down the stretch. Three of the next four games will be on the road. All three opponents have winning records and boast strong defenses. If ever there was a time for the third-year quarterback to summon his best stuff, it is now. Signs persist that GM Ryan Poles is ready to pull the plug and start over at quarterback. Only a strong finish can change that.
Justin Fields controls his own destiny. No more excuses.
People have jumped through hoops trying to insist the quarterback isn’t to blame for everything that has happened since he arrived in Chicago. While it’s true the situation around him could’ve been better, he’s responsible for many of the problems as well. The Bears wanted to see improvement in his ability to avoid sacks this year. Instead, he has the second-highest sack percentage in the league. His interception percentage is also slightly up from last season, and he still hasn’t figured out how to avoid fumbling the football so often.
His explosive performances against Denver and Washington offered hope that he might be turning a corner. Then he dislocated his thumb. He’s now missed 11 combined games over the past three seasons. With his rookie contract having only one year left, Justin Fields hasn’t shown enough to justify talks for a 5th-year option, never mind an extension. Chicago is in line to hold one of the first two picks in the 2024 draft. It feels almost inevitable they will draft a quarterback if that happens. Only Fields can stop that from happening.
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