Justin Fields' Doubters Persist Despite Obvious Improvement

Justin Fields is an ELITE athlete. No one can debate this fact. He possesses one of the strongest arms and is the fastest QB in the league. He has shown improvement each year despite a lack of talented play-makers his first two years in the NFL. He has had terrible offensive line play in front of him for most of his time in Chicago. His offensive coaches have often failed to create an offense that gets the most out of the third-year QB.

Getting people to move off their narrative for an athlete is often hard to do. National reporters covering the NFL are quick to judge. Local writers are worse. Many justify their opinions by reading what other writers are saying without watching one minute of game film. Many others look at game highlights or the ever-popular All 22 readily available but they have no clue how to dissect what they see.

Here is one example of this terrible narrative. When Chicago's defense collapsed at Detroit last month, Chicago began their last possession at their own 25-yard line, trailing 29-26. There were only 29 seconds on the clock. Detroit's All-Pro DE, Aidan Hutchinson, held at bay by Darnell Wright the entire game, was in the backfield before Fields had finished he initial read to his left. As Fields was preparing to throw the ball to his second read, Hutchinson stripped the ball from Fields. The play resulted in a safety, and the game ended in a 31-26 victory for Detroit.

When the all 22 came out, rather than the focus being on the collapse of the Bears' defense, writers flooded the internet with their false narratives. On their last play, Fields missed an open receiver to his right. Fields absolutely should have gotten the ball to that open receiver. The focus on Fields' shortcomings was more of an issue than the collapse of the defense.

Many continue to state their case the Bears must move on from Fields. And it's tiring. Despite his improvement, the so-called experts (many of whom have never watched a minute of game film) have decided the time is right to draft the latest QB.

No one can predict a sure winner in the draft. Recent history shows there are more busts than franchise-saving QBs. So, looking at a young QB that would be available next year, we need to check a few boxes.

A QB that is still on a rookie contract.

He has shown improvement, but his team has not produced enough wins, and the team he plays for might consider offering him in a trade this offseason.

The Bears QB of the Future

This QB will enter 2024 still on his rookie contract. His improvement has been steady in his first three years in the league, but many point to his inconsistencies.

In his last 17 games as a starter, he has thrown for 3,004 yards with 25 TDs and 12 interceptions. During those 17 games (equal to one full season), he has also scored eight touchdowns running the ball.

His last five complete starts are even more impressive. Extrapolating those five starts over a 17-game season, his numbers are very impressive. His season would break Bears' records for yards passing and touchdowns in a single season.

His numbers would be: 4,168 yards, 34 TDs, 6 INTs, and a passer rating of 107.7. He would add another 1,037 yards rushing with 6 touchdowns. His teammates love him. His work ethic is relentless.

Compared to some of the league's best QBs, he stands tall: His passer rating (91.8) is better than Joe Burrow and Trevor Lawrence. Higher Pass TD/INT rate (2.2) than Patrick Mahomes AND Josh Allen. More rushing YPG (50.9) than Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson.

This quarterback is none other than the Bears' current starter, Justin Fields.

Case closed.

News and Notes

The underdog won eight games this weekend. The most ever in an NFL weekend.

Two 4-win teams (Chicago and Tennessee) won games against teams with nine wins on the season (Detroit and Miami).

With their record at 5-8 and the team gaining confidence, they are very much alive in the playoff hunt. Green Bay currently holds the 7th seed with a 6-7 record. The Bears are just one game back at 5-8. They must, however, climb past the Rams, Seahawks, Falcons, and Saints. This week's schedule: Green Bay hosts Tampa, The Rams are at home to face Washington, The Giants travel to New Orleans. On Sunday night, the Seahawks have an angry Eagles team coming to Seattle. Atlanta, who is currently the 10th seed, is tied with Tampa with a record of 6-7 travels to Carolina.