Insider Reveals Justin Fields Stat Projections For 2023

Chicago Bears fans want to see their team win more games this year. That is the ultimate goal. However, there is a clear underlying sense of anticipation around Justin Fields. This city has seen the Bears win before. It's always been the same way. Run the ball well and play good defense. While that might get you an occasional playoff run every few years, it's not enough for sustained success, and it's not enough to win a championship in this era of the NFL. That is why everything hinges on whether Fields takes another step.

His 2022 season had plenty of positives. He exploded as one of the most dangerous runners in the NFL. Passing-wise, he improved his overall efficiency in most categories. The problem is he struggled to create big gains through the air. His passing yardage per game was the worst in the league by a comfortable margin. It's why many critics feel he doesn't have what it takes to be a true quarterback. That is what makes this season so important. He's about to answer so many questions. So how will he fair? Albert Breer of the MMQB thinks it will go pretty well.

He offered his stat projections for Fields this season.

"I’ll go with 63% completions, 3,200 yards, 24 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and 800 yards rushing—and I do that to put Fields in between campaigns Jalen Hurts posted in 2021 and ‘22. I believe Fields was a better passer coming out than Hurts was, but he doesn’t have the circumstances that Hurts got over the last couple years...

...I remember last year talking to a veteran evaluator about him, and what lesson he’d take from missing on (Jalen) Hurts into scouting quarterbacks in the future. His answer was that a team should never underestimate the makeup of a player. As such, Hurts, in so many ways, willed himself to become better in places where, again, guys generally don’t ascend as pros. And knowing what I know about Fields’s makeup, and what he’s done in Chicago the last couple offseasons, makes me think he can make the kind of jumps Hurts did."

Justin Fields would have to call that year a success.

While 3,200 yards isn't a lot by common NFL standards, it's a huge step up from last season. Combined with his rushing total, that makes 4,000 yards total. Adding seven more touchdown passes and one fewer interception would also demonstrate his improved efficiency. If the Bears' running game remains solid and the defense improves, that stat line would have the team in playoff contention. The lingering question is whether the young quarterback can avoid unnecessary sacks and his bad tendency to fumble.

One thing is certain. The Bears' early schedule will be a tough test. Their first five games will be against teams with talented, well-coached defenses. If he can navigate that stretch with a decent stat line, it will be the biggest indication that he's made serious progress. Justin Fields is determined to be great. He's made that clear both with his words and actions. Nobody works harder than him. That makes him easy to cheer for. This could be a fun year if Breer is proven correct.