Rivalries are always a central part of what makes the NFL and sports in general so great. For young players, especially rookie, it often takes some time for them to become indoctrinated into why those two teams hate each other. To understand the deep history of animosity that stretches back decades. For the Chicago Bears, no team draws more vile thoughts than the Green Bay Packers. Justin Fields no doubt will soon get an education on why that team up north deserves nothing but hatred.
Then again, it seems the 11th overall pick hasn’t wasted any time in that regard. During the first episode of 1920 Football Drive, the Bears’ popular web series on YouTube, Fields was spotted talking to quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo. He was asked who his center was at Ohio State. Fields replied it was Josh Meyers. When DeFilippo asked if he was drafted, the quarterback’s reply was nothing short of perfection.
Green Bay took Meyers in the 2nd round.
One could just hear the disappointment in DeFilippo’s voice. Fields himself seemed resigned to the fact that he’d almost have to disown his old friend. There is no room for camaraderie when you play for the enemy. It honestly shouldn’t be a huge surprise the new Bears quarterback is in that mindset. He was already trained to hate teams from Wisconsin from his two years at Ohio State. Shifting to the Packers likely wasn’t all that difficult.
The timing of his arrival might be perfect too. On the same day the Bears drafted him, news came out that Aaron Rodgers was at odds with Green Bay management. He would not be returning to the team unless changes were made. By most accounts, there are no signs of reconciliation. It is growing more and more likely Rodgers has taken his last snap in a Packers uniform. Just imagine if Chicago happened to find their QB of the future right as their greatest nemesis left the Packers? Talk about serendipity.
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One has to feel bad for Meyers though.
Justin Fields was front and center the entire episode
That obviously wasn’t an accident. The Bears knew their drafting of the quarterback was what got fans reinvested in the team after a frustrating offseason. They made sure to showcase him as much as possible. It started with his pre-draft interview where Fields stated he wanted “to be great so bad.” Then it shifted to draft night where the Bears’ war room erupted in celebration when the trade with New York went through.
Fast forward to his first rookie minicamp practice. There DeFilippo and offensive coordinator Bill Lazor were caught gossiping about how good Fields looked. His confidence. His presence. These are all things that only fan the flames of excitement. Justin Fields is no doubt under a huge burden of expectations. Not that it bothers him.
He’s been used to this sort of thing for years.
If anybody is ready for the pressure cooker that is Chicago, it’s him. Fields has the talent. It comes down to whether he can grasp the speed of the NFL level. Processing will be key. Presuming he succeeds in this regard, the Bears have a chance to be a really good football team for a long time.