Former MVP Pours Gas On Recent Justin Fields Rumors

Justin Fields has become one of the most divisive talking points of the 2023 off-season. On the one hand, he had a rushing season for the ages, finishing with the second-most yards in NFL history. At the same time, he underwhelmed as a passer with 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He also fumbled an alarming 16 times. There is no denying he's one of the most electric athletes to play the quarterback position. However, many people who have worked in the league don't feel that is enough to justify keeping him as the starter. Not when the Chicago Bears hold the #1 overall pick.

Two former executives in Mike Tannenbaum and Joe Banner have already said they should trade Fields and start over. Now another prominent name has offered a bleak assessment of Fields. Rich Gannon played in the league for over a decade at quarterback, winning MVP honors in 2002. While writing a breakdown of the NFC North quarterbacks for The 33rd Team, his assessment of Fields wasn't pretty. He sees way too many flaws to be comfortable with.

The Bears will be taking a huge risk if they decide to stick with him for another year.

"They’ve got a problem. It was not a good season, and if you are Matt Eberflus and the folks in Chicago, you are keeping your fingers crossed that Justin Fields can make the same leap as Jalen Hurts. This kid is very athletic but has to learn to function and process.

His anticipation is not very good. In his eyes, guys are almost always covered. Part of it is he doesn’t have the experience. If I were coaching him this spring, he would not be allowed to run with the football. In any period of practice, he has to do something other than run. Teach him how to sit in there and take the extra hit, learn protections and understand defenses, fronts and tendencies."

Plenty of fans don't want to hear the Justin Fields slander.

It is easy to understand why. He played with arguably one of the worst supporting casts in the NFL. His offensive line was porous, and his wide receiving corps was underwhelming. This is true. There is plenty of visual evidence to back it up. That said, what Gannon said is also true. There are several passing plays where Fields showcased an unwillingness to throw the ball even when his receivers were open. That led to him holding it too long, forcing a scramble or a sack. This issue improved somewhat towards the end of 2022, but it is still a problem.

The obvious hope is that an influx of better protection and more weapons, along with another year in the same offense, can help Justin Fields take a big leap forward in 2023. It isn't impossible. He's plenty talented and is highly intelligent. It comes down to whether GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus believe he can take that leap as a passer. Do not discount the fact these men didn't draft Fields. That matters in a situation like this. If somebody like Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud makes a strong enough impression, it is very possible they may look to make a change.