Nobody wants to lean too much into conspiracy theories. Still, it’s hard not to feel like something odd is happening with Justin Fields. The quarterback suffered a dislocated thumb against Minnesota last month. Tests revealed no break—initial projections offered hope that he might be able to return by the game in New Orleans. In fact, there were rumblings that game was the target. Well, the game came and went. Fields didn’t play. So that clearly meant he was getting four extra days to get right for Thursday night at home against the Carolina Panthers. Then the news dropped. Fields was doubtful to play. What made it all the more bizarre was Matt Eberflus.
The Bears head coach was more evasive than usual about the situation. While he said backup Tyson Bagent would start, he also suggested an outside possibility Fields could still play. The only thing he kept saying was that the quarterback wasn’t cleared yet. It was a befuddling two minutes of audio that suggested Eberflus didn’t have a clear answer on what Fields’ status is. Either the thumb was worse than they expected, or something else was going on.
Matt Eberflus may not have a say on if Fields can play.
Rumors on these situations can always be shaky. That said, one source informed SM that Fields still isn’t back because of resistance from GM Ryan Poles. He is delaying the quarterback’s return as long as possible because he wants to make a change at the position. Poles is cognizant of what happened four years ago in 2019. Mitch Trubisky looked like he had lost control of the starting job. Then he won four out of five games down the stretch, playing well against some weak competition. Chicago snuck into the playoffs as a wild card. That saved his job, prompting the Bears to pursue Nick Foles as competition rather than starting over.
Maybe they would’ve drafted Jalen Hurts that subsequent off-season if they’d pulled the plug. Poles doesn’t want to give Fields that opportunity to save himself at the last second. He’s ready to move on. We’ve already heard scattered reports of this for the past month.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
It might explain why Matt Eberflus had no straight answer on what’s going on. Either that or the simpler answer is that the head coach still has no grasp on handling the media. The bottom line is Bagent will start at least one more game, and Fields is running out of time to rescue a sinking ship.
I almost liked it better when comments were scanned and blocked.
Didn’t miss ol’ sour puss, Gena. How’s that Jordan Love action working up yonder way!?!?
Ryan Poles wants to make sure that Justin Fields stays healthy enough to trade. After spending as much as he has on Montez Sweat ($98 million ranks #5 in the entire NFL, at his position) as well as the recent overpayments for Nate Davis, Yannick Ngakoue; plus the extension for Andfrew Billings; added to the past overpayments: Tremaine Edmunds and DJ Moore (a nice player — but, WR1 money?!), reveals Poles’ true intentions. How are you Justin Fields fans going to deal with “your GM” trading away “your QB?” One thing is for sure: Ryan Poles will always remain flexible… Read more »
Fields can’t hold onto the ball with a good thumb let alone one that has damage. Make sure that is fully healed before you throw him back out there.
As always none of the posts talk about game winning approaches for tonight. The issues are draft choices, lineup changes, injuries, or strange press comments. the Bears are still deep in the woods and no better off after 2 years of Eberflus and Poles
If he’s not medically cleared that isn’t something the Bears can fake in order to keep him sidelined. Trust me Poles wants to beat Carolina badly. He owns their pick and would like it to be the #1 overall.