Chicago Bears' second-year quarterback Justin Fields met with the media on Tuesday with the start of the team's voluntary minicamp under new head coach Matt Eberflus. Fields was asked many questions about his rookie season, along with his thoughts about Chicago's previous coaching staff. Throughout this offseason, questions continue to be asked about whether Chicago's young quarterback will be an elite talent in the league, with the speculation due to a lack of games played in the second half of last season.

Fields' First Half Struggles In 2021 Were Never Resolved Through Game Play

Last season, former head coach Matt Nagy named Fields Chicago's starting quarterback before the team's Week 3 game against the Cleveland Browns due to Andy Dalton's knee injury. The 11th overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft would remain the Bears' starting quarterback from Week 3 to Week 11, making eight consecutive starts before being sidelined with cracked ribs following a game against the Baltimore Ravens. From Week 11 to the end of the season, Fields would only start two more games, as he missed five games due to a rib injury, ankle injury, and testing positive for COVID. During Fields' time as a starter in the first half of the season, he struggled as the Bears posted a 2-6 record during those eight games. The rookie quarterback had issues protecting the ball and consistently leading Chicago's offense on multiple scoring drives. There was only one game in Fields' first eight starts in which the Bears' offense would score more than three touchdowns. Although many of Chicago's offensive struggles were the fault of Nagy's poor play design, there were moments where Fields looked overmatched and unsure of what he was seeing from opposing defenses. Against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7, the Bears' rookie quarterback threw three interceptions and lost two fumbles. A week later, against the San Francisco 49ers, Fields would fumble twice, be sacked four times, and threw a deep-ball interception late in the fourth quarter.

Despite his struggles in the first half of the season, Fields showed promising moments, but those moments never became a consistent trend. Against the 49ers, Chicago's rookie became more mobile as he rushed over 100 yards on ten carries. Fields would follow that game up with his best game of 2021, as against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he passed for over 291 yards and led what should have been a game-winning touchdown drive with less than two minutes left in the game. The Steelers game was where fans and analysts believed that the Bears' first-round quarterback had taken the next step.

Fields' Injury-riddled Second Half Allowed For Skepticism To Remain

Before Fields' was sidelined in the Week 11 game against Baltimore, he struggled against the Ravens as he had only completed four passes through two and a half quarters of play. The performance was coming off a bye week with the Pittsburgh game the week before, where the young quarterback completed 12 passes for 219 yards in the second half. It almost appeared Fields had regressed instead of progressed with the time off. Chicago's rookie quarterback would not start another game until week 14 against the Packers in Green Bay. Although Fields would record his first game with multiple touchdown passes, he seemed to have issues again with reading opposing defense. He completed 15 passes for 105 yards, with six completions coming on dump-off passes to running back David Montgomery. Fields' mechanics became a concern as he attempted several jump-throws throughout the game, one which was intercepted after the high throw went off the hands of his wide receiver.

Fields' final start would come against the Minnesota Vikings a week later on Monday Night Football, which would be a loss also. The Bears' rookie quarterback inconsistent play would continue as the Bears' offense would score its lone touchdown on the final play of the game. Fields made several costly mistakes, including taking a sack for a 14-yard loss, and losing another fumble behind the line of scrimmage. These mistakes were seen in the first half of the season as it appeared Fields didn't correct them in his final two starts of the season. The rookie quarterback lost several vital games of playing-experience, including the final three games of the year against teams with records under .500.

Fields lost the chance to play in some vital situations also. Imagine if he would have led the Bears' offense on the last-minute game-winning touchdown drive against the Seattle Seahawks instead of Nick Foles. Additionally, Fields could have to demonstrate progression from playing the same team twice, as the Packers were the only divisional opponent he played twice, as he missed the second games against the Vikings and Lions. Although many Bears fans will protect Fields and blame his lack of quality play on Nagy, the rookie quarterback's lack of games started in the second half of the 2021 season allows for questions regarding his potential to remain. Had Chicago's quarterback played in the five games he missed following Week 11, there could have been one or two games that would have resolved all concerns. Last season, Fields could have silenced critics with a 300 yard passing game or leading the Bears to a win because of his presence, but there was never that moment, especially in the second half of the year, which is why questions remain.