Justin Fields did everything he could to become the guy in Chicago. Unfortunately, it never worked out due to several different circumstances, some within his control and some not. The writing was on the wall once the Bears secured the #1 overall pick this year. GM Ryan Poles felt a fresh start was needed for everybody. Fields didn’t fit the vision of what they wanted at quarterback. He still needed more work, and the team no longer had the time to give him that. His expiring rookie contract made it impossible. So they traded him to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a conditional pick.
Fields was happy about it. He felt it was a fresh start with an organization known for winning and a stable culture. He’d even be given a chance to compete for the job against veteran Russell Wilson, who was coming off two forgettable years in Denver. Based on recent reports from Pittsburgh, things haven’t gone as planned. According to Mark Kaboly of The Athletic, Fields has looked like the exact same quarterback who left Chicago. The same talent and the same questionable ability as a pocket passer.
3. QB Justin Fields
Don’t get bent out of shape with Fields finding himself on this list. His talent speaks for itself. But unlike Wilson, he has a lot of obstacles to overcome for an opportunity this year. Fields didn’t get many first-team reps, and that’s significant come training camp. More than that, you can see what made him a first-round pick … and also what made the Chicago Bears move on. The arm strength, speed and playmaking with his legs are undeniable. However, he showed inconsistent accuracy and relied on his feet too quickly after the first read. That stuff can be fixed, but maybe not throughout a training camp.
Justin Fields might actually be who the Bears thought he was.
They would’ve kept him if they genuinely felt there was a chance he could still transform into a star. Their decision to move one was easier than people wanted to admit. Don’t forget they only got a conditional 6th round pick for him. Even other NFL teams weren’t high on him. The fact he continues to look like the exact same player he was in Chicago shouldn’t be shocking. He’s had two years of practice reps and game action to learn how to play the position properly. If it hasn’t happened by now, it likely never will.
Maybe he defies the odds. Such things can happen. Still, we know one thing for certain. He won’t beat Russell Wilson for the starting job. If the seven-time Pro Bowler decides to stick around, Justin Fields may never play a game for the Steelers. It is a sobering reminder of how fast the league can turn on you if they get a sense you can’t hack it. Fields is a remarkable athlete, but the position he plays demands so much more than that. He still hasn’t found the magic formula.
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Barrymicock, stats can be poached on any qb to make them look good, but you have gone to new depths. Where to begin… catchable pass rate? Its basically a meaningless fantasy football stat that has not actually been tied to positive output near or long term and makes up 75% of the stats u cite. U quoted a quasi legit stat twice in qbr 20+ downdield. PFF rated passer? Poles isn’t running a fantasy team. Your td percentage ranking is wrong. He was 18th in 2023. 23rd in qbr. 41st in qbr in the 4th quarter. 23rd in td per… Read more »
Ya Barry I get what you’re saying but….he also threw away and fumbled away at least 3 games. 3 games they had won until JF turned the ball over …literally just gave it to the other team. Cost them any chance for the playoffs. And actually just choked every Green Bay game. Couldnt do anything but stand there holding and looking. That’s not getting it done.
Here are some advanced stats on Fields that will make everyone on here mad at me again. Last year, Fields was 10th in catchable pass percentage, seventh in passer rating when throwing 20 yards or more downfield, and fifth in TD percentage. He was seventh in independent quarterback rating when throwing 20 yards or more downfield, and was PFF’s fourth-highest graded passer on those throws, behind Brock Purdy, CJ Stroud, and Matthew Stafford. He was also, it will shock a lot of folks to learn, one of the most effective QBs in the league throwing the ball when facing pressure.… Read more »
@Dr. Melhus, It is the slow season, that’s a fact but Erik does not need to write 6 articles a day, also a fact. Write about “BEARS” news of the day and if there is none, he should formulate ONE good relevant article and quit being a troll.
Hey. YO! Erik! We’re over here. *snaps fingers* PAY ATTENTION.