Justin Fields experiment needs to end as soon as possible
Second-year Chicago Bears’ quarterback Justin Fields has made 16 starts in the NFL and seems to have regressed. The experiment should end, now. When Justin Fields was drafted with the 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, many across the NFL immediately crowned the Bears as winners of the draft.
What I noticed when Fields was picked was many saying that the Bears had found their guy, and I personally noticed more favorable coverage of Fields than some of the other quarterbacks drafted before him. It almost seemed like, in my opinion, Fields was thought of as a surefire selection.
Justin Fields running out of time as the Bears starting QB?
One of the perhaps unfair downsides of Justin Fields’ profile was those who scouted the helmet. Ohio State QBs haven’t fared very well in the NFL, so many knocked him down their boards because of that. However, there were genuine concerns with his game, and it does seem a bit interesting that many teams ended up passing on him. Many asked, “How did he fall down to the 11th overall selection?”
Well, maybe teams weren’t as high on him as the NFL media industrial complex was. Fields has been abysmal in the NFL so far. From a purely statistical perspective, he’s performing below backup level. Through 16 starts and 18 total games played, the second year player has gone 4-12. He’s completed just 57.7% of his passes for 2,739 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions.
He’s rushed for 702 yards and three touchdowns. So, in 16 starts, he has 14 total touchdowns against 15 interceptions. He’s earned a passer rating of 73.1 during this time. He’s a disaster against the blitz and has simply missed throws and missed wide-open receivers during his short tenure in Chicago.
This video highlights some of his interceptions during his career. It’s clear as day that many of these are poor throws or instances where he simply did not see the defender. These are inexcusable mistakes even for a young player to make.
The Chicago Bears are in a rebuilding phase and likely are going to acquire more draft capital here and there to try and dig themselves out of the mess they are in. The new General Manager, Ryan Poles, has no connections with Justin Fields, so perhaps there is less commitment toward him from the front office.
I would not be surprised if the Bears decided to cut ties with Fields at the end of the season, or keep him on the roster and perhaps look to draft someone else. I don’t think the team is in a position to make a run at a veteran quarterback like some teams did this offseason.
But as a whole, Justin Fields has not done himself any favors.