Falcons Fan Did Not Handle Justin Fields Crushing His Team Well

In their long history, the Chicago Bears have become well-known for missing many opportunities to acquire difference-making quarterbacks. A coin flip saw them lose out on Terry Bradshaw in 1970. They almost selected Joe Montana in 1979 before opting for a backup running back instead. It was Cade McNown over Daunte Culpepper in 1999 and choosing to stick with Rex Grossman over drafting Aaron Rodgers in 2005. Last but not least, they chose Mitch Trubisky over Patrick Mahomes in 2017. It’s enough to write a full-length novel about. Bears fans have so many regrets. It appears Atlanta Falcons fans are starting to feel the same way about Justin Fields.

Back in 2021, the team faced a dilemma. Matt Ryan was 36 years old. It was clear his career was starting to wind down. GM Terry Fontenot had to decide if he wanted to pull the plug and move on to a younger option or keep the aging legend a little longer while trying to retool the roster. Atlanta had the 4th overall pick. It was a good spot to take a quarterback if they wanted. Fontenot passed, choosing tight end Kyle Pitts instead. Fields ended up going to Chicago 11th overall. Fast forward three years, and the Falcons still have quarterback problems.

So it probably didn’t feel great watching Fields crush them 37-17 with 313 total yards and two touchdowns. One fan voiced his frustrations in colorful terms on YouTube.

One can understand the Justin Fields issue for Atlanta.

It made so much sense from their perspective. The guy was arguably the most talented quarterback in the draft that year, even more than Trevor Lawrence. He was also born in Georgia growing up a huge fan of Michael Vick. Now, here comes another freakish athlete with sky-high potential. The story wrote itself. This is another reminder of how tough the draft is. It becomes so easy to second-guess yourself when the lights are on you, and the clock is ticking. Atlanta opted for the safer pick, believing Pitts was far more likely to become a top player at his position. Fields was too much of a risk.

No doubt head coach Arthur Smith, who is on the hot seat, has to be wondering how different things might’ve been if he’d gotten Justin Fields when he arrived that same year. The Falcons have been stuck at seven wins each of the past three seasons. Quarterback play is the main reason they’ve failed to get over the hump. Perhaps this feeling of regret might manifest in them approaching the Bears about a potential trade this spring. Chicago holds the #1 overall pick and might start over. Bringing Fields home would certainly liven things up.