Bears Insider Offers Telling Update On Justin Fields' Job Status

As the Chicago Bears prepared for their game in Detroit on Sunday, everybody understood what was ahead. The final eight weeks would be about evaluating the top two men: quarterback Justin Fields and head coach Matt Eberflus. Both needed to show signs of progress in their respective positions to justify another season in 2024. The game played out differently. While Fields had one of his best all-around performances of the year, Eberflus cost his team a victory with poor defensive play and questionable situational decisions in the 4th quarter.

The conclusion for many has become obvious. Eberflus has to go. He's lost way too many winnable games with atrocious 4th quarter performances. He has six wins in almost two full seasons. There is nothing left to see. Fields is a more nuanced discussion. That Detroit game was his third in four weeks with a 100+ passer rating. He looked as sharp as he had all season. Many believe it was another sign he's not the problem with this team. That has to mean the Bears are inclined to keep him, right? Adam Jahns of The Athletic isn't so sure about that.

From what he's sensing, the team brass already has eyes drifting elsewhere.

One path could be sticking with Justin Fields, exercising his fifth-year option and then eventually signing him to an extension. That decision would allow the Bears to use their two first-rounders on other positions. They could add more blue-chip talent that will help the entire team.

But the more you hear coach Matt Eberflus, Poles and national reports refer to the need for consistency from Fields, the more it seems as if the organization is already formulating a move for its next quarterback. Having the first pick and potentially two in the top five is a rare opportunity...

...Poles, though, has an opportunity to start over at quarterback and coach. The three most important people for a football team could be all aligned in 2024 and beyond with a roster that has already featured investment in other premium positions.

Justin Fields is fighting an uphill battle.

One must remember Poles came from Kansas City. He's seen what the peak of the NFL is supposed to look like with Patrick Mahomes. So, he has high standards for the quarterback position. Nobody disputes that Fields is a phenomenal athletic talent. He's also mentally and physically tough. However, lots of factors are working against him. Poles didn't draft him. His injury history continues to grow, as does the number of sacks he takes (26 in 7 games this year). It also doesn't help that he is 6-22 as a starter with a 1-12 record in one-score games. His career passer rating is 82.9. Not all of this is his fault, but to say they won't be factored into the decision to keep him or move on is naive.

Right now, the Bears have a better than 50% chance to land the #1 overall pick next spring thanks to the Carolina Panthers trade. Securing it would give them their choice between top prospects Caleb Williams and Drake Maye. Both are highly regarded by draft evaluators. Taking one of them would give the team a new four-year window of cheap money, allowing Poles to continue building the roster. He can also trade Justin Fields for additional draft capital, especially if he keeps playing well.

It isn't a scenario many will like, but it feels like the one Chicago is drifting toward.