Justin Fields Says Why OTAs Changed His Expectations For 2023 Season

It was hard for Justin Fields to get past last season. Not only did he fail to finish it due to injuries, but the team endured a 10-game losing streak to finish 3-14. It was by far the most embarrassing stretch of football he'd been involved with when it came to wins and losses. The year put him at 5-20 through his first two years in the NFL, leaving many wondering if he has what it takes to ever find success at this level. Of course, none of this is entirely his fault. People who actually watched the games last year will say Fields was one of the few bright spots on an otherwise depressing roster.

That was by design. GM Ryan Poles blew it up during his first off-season, intent on unloading every older player with an expensive contract. He aimed to rebuild through the draft, hoping to assemble a younger, faster, and more athletic core. While it sounds great in theory, Fields and others weren't sure what to expect going into this year. That changed a couple of months ago, as he told Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times.

“It’s a very exciting time, just because of the new pieces we have on our team,” the Bears quarterback said Tuesday at the football camp he hosted at Deerfield High School. “Really, OTAs made it more exciting. Just the culture we put in place last year and all the guys — I think we’re all just trying to reach the same goal, and that’s to win the Super Bowl.”

This newfound optimism centered around one key aspect.

Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus put a ton of emphasis on acquiring more locker room leadership. Yes, they needed to be talented, too, but high-character guys were a must. It wasn't a coincidence they plucked names like Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards in free agency. They came from winning organizations. D'Onta Foreman spent two years helping Tennessee win back-to-back division titles. Even D.J. Moore brought a sense of resilience to the table, having thrived despite numerous QB problems in Carolina. Fields can finally see the big picture, and it's exciting.

“The leaders that we have, like Tremaine, T.J. — of course, DJ on offense and D’Onta at running back. We have a lot of new pieces, and everyone’s excited. We’re all here to push each other to get better. It’s gonna be a fun season.”

Justin Fields won't be lowering his standards.

Yes, the Bears are far from a finished product. They have several holes on the roster that remain concerning. However, that is merely an excuse. To Fields, this team is capable enough to win more football games. Despite their 3-14 record last year, the Bears were painfully close to winning several more. Five of those losses were by five points or less. They didn't have the necessary horses to close games out. This time should be different. They're a much younger and faster team with better leadership than last season. Depth is also better.

There is also the advantage of no longer worrying about learning new systems. Justin Fields enters his second year in Luke Getsy's scheme. The defense should now be well-tuned to Eberflus' defensive system. That should lead to faster play and better execution. Fields believes all these factors should carry the team to more victories, and he's not wrong. His optimism may be the highest it's been since arriving in Chicago two years ago. That is never a bad sign.