If you trace a line through all-time great athletes in every sport, they tend to have at least one thing in common. An almost maniacal level of competitiveness. We’re not just talking about the sport they play either. They’ll compete in almost anything and try hard to humiliate their opponents. Michael Jordan bet money on throwing quarters as close to a wall as possible. Tom Brady broke a paddle after losing a game of ping pong. Guys like that are just wired differently. Is Justin Fields made of the same stuff?

There are some examples that indicate this is the case. It first appeared during a throwing session at a local high school field. Somebody said Fields wouldn’t be able to hit the crossbar of a goalpost from 35 yards away. The quarterback immediately plunked it. Afterward, he reminded the trash talker not to try him. Turns out just like Jordan and Brady, that competitive streak extends to other activities.

Fields is also an avid lover of golf.

The first signs of this surfaced back in 2020 when he showed off his swing on social media for the first time. It didn’t go well. The QB sliced the ball far to the right and into the woods. He admitted he had work to do. Apparently, that work has paid off. During a recent golf session with friend and photographer Simeon Kelley, he was told there was no way he could hit the green off the tee with his driver. That was a mistake.

Once again somebody “tried” Fields and he had to remind them not to do that. This is the sort of person the Bears now have at quarterback. Somebody who not only doesn’t fear a challenge but almost thrives on them. The bigger the challenge, the better he seems to play.

Justin Fields proves here that he aims to be great at everything

If this were 2020, there is no way he hits that shot. Yet through over a year of constantly playing and working on his game? Fields set himself up to deliver that drive like a perfect metaphorical uppercut. That is the mentality of people like that. It doesn’t matter what activity you play. If you’re going to play, then play to win. Play to be great. This is merely the latest sign for him.

Justin Fields is proving his determination through his work ethic. While some Bears players are using this down period as a chance to recharge before training camp, the quarterback is working. He’s digging into his playbook. He’s working out in the gym and going through repeated throwing sessions. Any chance he can get to prepare isn’t wasted.

This is why it will be tough to keep him on the bench.

Matt Nagy has a plan and wants to stick with it. That is fair. Giving Fields a chance to learn from the sideline isn’t a bad idea. However, history shows the quarterback doesn’t do well when told he can’t play. So it wouldn’t be a shock if he finds his way into the huddle sooner rather than later.