Under normal circumstances, Justin Fields would likely be guaranteed three seasons as the starting quarterback for the
Chicago Bears. That is generally how long it takes for a young quarterback to determine if he can play in the NFL or not. However, the circumstances for Fields are not normal. When GM Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy got fired, this became true. Suddenly the regime that drafted him and bought into him as a potential franchise guy is gone.
Yes, Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus have offered their full-throated support for Fields. They believe he has the mental and physical makeup to be an excellent player in this league. Yet that doesn't erase the original problem. They weren't the ones who drafted the young QB. Something like that matters. Nagy proved that a few years ago when he grew fed up with Mitch Trubisky towards the end of their second season together.
Remember that was after the young QB made the Pro Bowl in the first.
Hence why it might be
unwise to assume Fields automatically is a lock to stay under center long-term. Don't forget he struggled as a rookie. Much of that was out of his control, from poor coaching to poor protection, but it's hard to look past 10 interceptions and 12 fumbles in 12 total appearances. That makes him look like a quarterback that doesn't know how to protect the football. Something that really matters to his new head coach.
If he continues to suffer through those same issues in 2022, it is difficult to believe Poles and Eberflus wouldn't start considering the idea of alternatives. There will be plenty of free agent possibilities, including Kyler Murray, Derek Carr, Lamar Jackson, Baker Mayfield, Gardner Minshew, and Tom Brady. The 2023 draft class is also expected to have far better options than this upcoming group as well. So yeah. Fields is under pressure to perform.
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Justin Fields must take control of his career
That is what the great ones often do. After some early hiccups adjusting to the speed of the NFL, they seize the moment by Year 2 and start performing at a much higher level. They've learned to master the great complexity of pro defenses and understand how to handle pre-snap reads. Their brains have also adjusted to quicker decision-making. They've learned that open in the NFL is a far smaller window than open in college.
Justin Fields isn't wasting a single moment of the offseason to his credit. He's been working non-stop for weeks, building his chemistry with favorite receiver Darnell Mooney. During that time, the Bears gave him a new center in Lucas Patrick and are close to adding help at guard too with
Ryan Bates. Improved protection would go a long way in helping the QB blossom this year.
Eberflus has kept his message clear throughout.
Everything about this new offense will be catered to Fields' strengths. It is all about him now. That said, it doesn't lower the level of expectations. In a recent interview, the head coach made it clear that he expects significant improvement from the quarterback this year. Rookie excuses are gone. Chicago should face a somewhat easier schedule in 2022. This must be his time to seize the moment. If he doesn't? The leash will start to shorten quickly.
