The 2022 season is over. Teams have begun preparations for 2023. As is always the case, the quarterback landscape appears to have shifted in that time. There are obvious stalwarts. Patrick Mahomes remains at the top. Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, and Justin Herbert are there with him. Other young guns like Jalen Hurts and Trevor Lawrence are entering the conversation. Chicago Bears fans are left wondering about the national perception of Justin Fields. We may have a partial answer.
Marc Sessler released his latest quarterback power rankings for NFL.com. It featured the usual heavy hitter up top. It started getting interesting around #7 when Tua Tagovailoa made an appearance, followed by Jared Goff. Yet by far, the biggest surprise came at #13, where Fields popped up. It marks the first time a Bears quarterback has ranked that high in ages. Sessler didn't seem troubled by the constant speculation that Chicago would be better off trading the young quarterback.
If anything, he made it sound like it would be a huge mistake.
"Ryan Poles won't rule out taking a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick. Consider it an open invite for teams to call up the general manager and offer a king's ransom. The idea of trading away Fields makes little sense after what he showed in 2023. Especially for a team with juicy draft capital and a titanic swath of cap space. The Athletic's Nate Tice doesn't see a quarterback in this year's draft the equal of Fields, who rapidly developed into a devastating game-changer on the ground. He needs polishing as a passer, but he spent his second season with a flimsy group of wideouts. Chicago's offseason resources can mend that in a hurry."
Justin Fields passed the first test.
He proved he could be a difference-maker on the field. Sure, it came primarily on the ground, but it doesn't change that Chicago was in several of their games merely because he was playing. If he could take such a large step despite playing in a brand new offense with little protection, then it stands to reason he can improve as a passer once said protection improves. That and the assumption the Bears will find better receiving talent as well. With his work ethic and arm talent, the odds are in his favor.
It comes down to whether GM Ryan Poles believes he can make that leap. Whispers are that Halas Hall loves Justin Fields. He really won them over back in November when he battled through tough circumstances to play some of his best games. There is a feeling of serious optimism in the building. Everything points to him staying put unless one of these quarterbacks in the draft makes a profound impression. That doesn't seem likely. This year feels like it's about bolstering that supporting cast.
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