Since the NFL Draft nearly two weeks ago, there has been newfound excitement and anticipation for the 2021 Chicago Bears after the team drafted quarterback Justin Fields. That excitement will reach another level when the league announced the dates for the 2021 season. Although NFL teams already know their opponents for the season, dates, times, and channels the games will be televised on will be announced. When and what time the Bears play certain opponents may have drastically changed in the last week and a half because of Fields' presence.

The League Loves To Show Case First Round Quarterbacks In Primetime

When the Bears drafted Fields 11th in the NFL Draft, there was an outpouring of excitement from both the media and the fans across the country. One thing that drives NFL ratings and influences how games are scheduled is either quality matchups between talented teams or exciting players. Each season, teams with an exciting first-round quarterback often receive at least one or two prime time games so a national audience can see the rookie. Whether it was Mitchell Trubisky in 2017, Carson Wentz in 2016, and or Baker Mayfield in 2018, teams with first-round quarterbacks are more likely to get a prime-time game.

For Fields and the Bears, there are several high-quality matchups the league can schedule for them in primetime this season. The most significant would be for Chicago to kick off the 2021 NFL Season against the defending Super Bowl Champions in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday Night. The Bears may have been in consideration for this game already due to their high viewership and quality defense, but Fields now adds viewership insurance in case of a blowout by Tampa Bay. If the Buccaneers have a commanding lead in the fourth quarter, fans could be intrigued to watch the remainder of the game to see the rookie make his debut in garbage time. Without a potential rookie quarterback's debut, fans would likely turn the game off with an outcome already decided. With Fields on the Bears, the team could receive more primetime games in more favorable situations. For instance, with head coach Matt Nagy already committed to having his rookie sit on the bench as long as possible to learn the game, the Bears could have more primetime games scheduled later in the season. With the league potentially wanting to showcase Fields, the Bears could see a better opponent later on when said opponent could be weaker compared to if they played one another earlier in the season.

League Could Save Better Matchups For The Bears Until Later In The Season

Even if the Bears do not receive many prime-time games because of their rookie quarterback, several higher-quality games could be scheduled later in the year to improve overall ratings. There is a good chance that the Bears could be out of playoff contention by December, and the league could lose viewership in the third biggest TV market. Matchups against the Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, and Las Vegas Raiders could be scheduled for the second half of the season in hopes of Fields starting and playing against these opponents as to not to waste high-viewership games.

Games that feature Fields rather than Andy Dalton against Russell Wilson, Lamar Jackson, and Derek Carr would generate high ratings for either ESPN, CBS, FOX, or NBC. Furthermore, Chicago fans are known to travel to watch their Bears play as there are several road games each season that features a strong contingency of fans from Chicago. Image how many fans would travel to Las Vegas, Tampa Bay, Los Angeles, and or Pittsburgh to see Fields play. Whether it be more fans watching the Bears or traveling to see the team on the road, that means more money for the NFL in ticket sales, advertising, and merchandise.

During the NFL Wild Card Weekend this past January, the Bears against New Orleans Saints game drew the highest ratings of all six games. That was for a team that finished .500 during the regular season and featured an average quarterback in Mitchell Trubisky. With the excitement surrounding Fields, viewership for Bears' games could be at an all-time high this season. It's this reason Chicago's rookie quarterback could have forced the schedule-makers and broadcasters to re-work their potential schedule for the Bears before Wednesday's release.