A few months ago, at the end of August, Ryan Poles sat before the media before the regular season was set to begin. The Chicago Bears GM took questions about every aspect of the team. Inevitably, the conversation came around to quarterback Justin Fields. Poles had taken a calculated risk by retaining the former 1st round pick rather than drafting somebody new like Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud. He felt the progress Fields showed towards the end of last season was enough to justify it. However, that didn’t mean the quarterback was out of the woods yet.
Poles was asked what he wanted to see from Fields in 2023 that would convince him the Bears can start thinking long-term regarding the QB’s future. The answer was straightforward and clear.
“Just to continue to improve. Want those sack numbers to come down, interceptions to come down. Make good reads, protect himself, just see him take that next step.”
Not too much to ask from a quarterback going into his third year.
Ten games into the regular season, it doesn’t appear Fields has met any of those conditions. His interception percentage this year is 3.7%. That is up from 3.5% last season. Perhaps most damning is the sacks. That problem hasn’t gone away. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk rammed that home with this stat via Albert Breer.
“To this point of the year, Fields ranks 32nd among qualifying quarterbacks in sack percentage (sacked on 12.9% of his drop-backs), while undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent, starting in his stead, is first (3.4%) playing behind the same offensive line.”
There is no getting around that. An undrafted rookie from Division II processes the field faster than the former 1st rounder. For all of Fields’ gifts, he still can’t protect himself. Last Thursday night marked the fourth game he missed with a dislocated thumb, and the 11th game overall he’s missed due to health issues since his rookie year.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
Justin Fields is running out of time to change the narrative.
Seven games remain in the season. It still isn’t clear if he will return to Detroit on Sunday against the Lions. The Bears remain evasive as ever about his health status. Smart money is he will play. That means he gets the Lions twice, Cleveland, Minnesota, Atlanta, Arizona, and Green Bay to close the year. Those are some well-coached defenses he will have to navigate. Given his track record, the odds aren’t in his favor. Then again, Fields might summon some extra juice, knowing his job is on the line.
Rumors persist that Poles is already eyeing a change at quarterback in the 2024 draft if the Bears get one of the first two picks. Carolina is on track to provide that. The Bears GM has given Justin Fields every opportunity to show legitimate improvement. Blaming the offensive line, the receivers, and the coaching can only last so long. Sooner or later, the blame falls on the quarterback. The only direction left for Fields is forward. He must seize control of his career right now, or his time in Chicago will be considered another failure.
The OL was playing well with Jenkins at RG. But Flus moved him and Whitehair. Stability up front will dictate how much time Fields will have to throw. Hopefully, he finds guys quickly and occasionally takes shots down field because the Lions have some good pass rushers.
Fields’ future rests in his hands.
No pun.
I like Justin Fields but he has still not overcome his slow reaction to defenses and getting the ball out of his hands. Tyson Bagent is not his equal physically or talent wise but he sure does have what Justin is lacking in that area. He reads defenses better and quickly releases the ball to avoid sacks. If Justin is going to continue to be the starter in Chicago he’s got to improve in this area!
@Sam K —
100% agree, Sam. But, I think the next four games will also reveal whether or not Justin Fields wants to remain a Chicago Bear, as well.
I can’t imagine any Bear player (with the exception of DJ Moore and Montez Sweat) can feel a sense of security in the current environment at Halas Hall — knowing Ryan Poles’ history of less-than-exemplary player contract negotiations.
@TGena.. at this point it’s just piling on Fields. I am of the opinion to move on from him next year, but I also respect him. Do I personally think he needs to be replaced, yes. Does he deserve an overload of negativity, no. He’s a great teammate and he’s doing his best to get back and help the team anyway he can. The opinions of these articles 100% flip every day lol
@TGena – thanks. I’ll give that a look.