The debate has been ongoing for years. Justin Fields and Trevor Lawrence have been connected since the two came out of high school when they went head-to-head at the Elite 11 football camp. Things hit a new fever pitch when they met in the College Football Playoffs two years in a row. Lawrence won the first in 2019, while Fields took the second in 2020. Many wondered who would be the #1 overall pick of the draft last year. That debate never got off the ground, as Lawrence was the favorite from the start for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Yet Fields didn’t even get the common courtesy of going #2 or even #3. Those sports were reserved for Zach Wilson and Trey Lance. So when he landed with the Chicago Bears at 11th overall, he had a chip on his shoulder. He was going to show everybody what a colossal mistake they made. It took some time. He went through typical struggles for a young player as a rookie and the first month of 2022. That isn’t the case anymore. Fields has ten touchdown passes, five touchdown runs, only three interceptions, and 1600 total yards in the past six games. He has emerged as one of the most electric quarterbacks in football.
That inevitably opened up the debate once again. Lawrence or Fields? Former scout and NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah made his stance clear. Lawrence is in a better situation, but Fields is the better quarterback.
Justin Fields is doing more with less.
Lawrence has just over 1500 yards, eight touchdowns, and four interceptions in the past six games. This comes despite a series of advantages. He has the 7th-ranked rushing attack supporting him. His offensive line has only allowed 11 sacks in that stretch. His receiving corps is also more proven with Christian Kirk, Marvin Jones, Zay Jones, and Evan Engram. If that weren’t enough, he’s faced a manageable schedule, including Houston, Indianapolis, and Las Vegas. Only two of those games were on the road.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
As for Justin Fields? He had to slug it out with Minnesota, New England, Dallas, Washington, and Miami. Four of those teams are playoff contenders, and the other is 5-5 after having just beat the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles. Three of the past six games were also on the road. Fields has only two reliable targets in Darnell Mooney and Cole Kmet, and his offensive line allowed 20 sacks during that stretch. It hasn’t mattered. He’s balled out anyway.
Nobody is saying Lawrence is a bad quarterback. He should still end up a quality player in the NFL. However, what Jeremiah says isn’t out of place. Fields might have already surpassed him.
Great story FNagy! Having seen a ton of Fields, I could not believe the other two QB’s were taken ahead of him. SF shocked the world by passing over him. That was the head scratcher of the decade right there. When the Bears finally moved up I was shaking with the anticipation. I think the whole block heard me screaming like a terrified little girl. Watching Nagy trying to shoehorn him into that crappy offense did permanent damage to my heart. I’m thankful to Getsy for resuscitating me this year.
I remember the last time the NFL so egregiously screwed up their evaluation of a QB – Warren Moon. He was ranked low in the draft rankings so he took his skills to the CFL. It took 5 years for the NFL to finally take a chance on him. Now he’s in the HOF. 40 years later, the NFL is still making the same boneheaded, stupid decisions. I look forward to JF1 reaching his place as one of the top 3 QB’s in the NFL. He is already well on his way and something Bears fans have been waiting for… Read more »
The best way for Fields to put this story to rest is to have more Super Bowl rings when everything is said and done. It’s all about the rings
I’ll be honest I’m all Chicago (White sox SOUTHSIDE, Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks etc.) professional sports wise, but my best friend who is like a brother (our families are friends as well) is from Ohio and the biggest Ohio State fan. So, throughout the years I’ve also become a Buckeyes fan (the candy too!). I am a transplant living in AZ, so I was privileged enough to go to the Fiesta Bowl in 2019 and see JF1 play in person. He was electric. He is honestly the best College QB I have ever watched! He got his retribution in the… Read more »
The problem with head-to-head comparisons like this is that the incumbent (Lawrence) usually gets the benefit of the doubt long after the challenger (Fields) has proven to be the better performer. Lawrence has long enjoyed being considered the best QB of his class dating all the way back to high school. Despite losing head-to-head matchups (i.e. the Elite 11 championship, 2020 CFP playoff) and being surrounded with superior talent, he hasn’t been moved off that spot in popular opinion. Fields will probably have to win the MVP or the Super Bowl or demonstrate serious contention for both before the sentiment… Read more »