Ex-Super Bowl Winner Sees Justin Fields As Future “Rock Star” In NFL
Justin Fields arrived as a breath of fresh air back in April for the Chicago Bears. People genuinely felt the organization had actually gotten the quarterback pick right for once. Now sitting here on Christmas weekend, it’s hard to find optimism for some. Not only has Fields thrown more interceptions (10) than touchdowns (7) but he also has 12 fumbles. Some are already starting to wonder if he’s a bust. Which is kind of ridiculous.
If that weren’t bad enough, he isn’t going to play on Sunday in Seattle due to an ankle injury. So there isn’t a lot to be excited about at the moment. That said, plenty of people aren’t too concerned about it. Despite the numbers, Fields has continued to show flashes of how talented he is as a quarterback. He’s also shown steady improvement in his operations pre and post-snap. He is seeing things the way he should.
The stats just haven’t reflected that yet.
One person that isn’t concerned about the rookie at all is Trent Dilfer. The former Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion worked with Fields extensively when he was coming out of high school. Dilfer then followed his college career at Ohio State as well. He told Matt Spiegel and Chris Rongey of 670 The Score that all of the problems the kid has encountered to this point are easily fixable. Once that happens, he is going to be something special in Chicago.
This falls in line with what many other experts have said. Matt Nagy never really had a viable plan for Fields. His only idea was to do what the Chiefs did in 2017 with Patrick Mahomes. Sit him on the bench, let him learn, and then expect him to be ready by 2022. He never presumed the possibility that Fields might have to play sooner because Andy Dalton could get hurt, which is exactly what happened. Nagy had no backup plan, which is why it looked like the Bears were running an offense with Fields that was meant for Dalton.
someone do something! pic.twitter.com/JcbRWzt8BK
— Derrik Klassen (@QBKlass) December 23, 2021
feels pressure, keeps his eyes up, finds someone underneath.
good example of Fields knowing where the protection is weaker and adjusting for it pic.twitter.com/SgjRQ2ymln
— Derrik Klassen (@QBKlass) December 23, 2021
Justin Fields requires something fans have in short supply
Patience. Contrary to what Nagy and Ryan Pace tried to sell you earlier this year, the reality is the Bears just aren’t a good football team. They were mediocre for two years and finally fell off a cliff this season. They have a below-average coaching staff and an offense riddled with holes on the offensive line and the receiving corps. Asking a rookie quarterback to account for all of that was always foolish.
Given enough time, things can improve in a big way. Hopefully a better coaching staff with a strong idea of how to take advantage of what Justin Fields does best. Employing greater resources to upgrade his supporting cast. Better wide receivers and a line that can keep him clean. Combine that with his own improvement at mastering the complexities of the position?
It should lead to much better results next season.
The hard part is letting the process play out. Bears fans have been starved of good quarterback play since the 1940s. With all due respect to guys like Jim McMahon and Jay Cutler, their high moments were far too brief to be considered true franchise-caliber guys. Fields is the first one that seems like somebody who can take that crucial final step to genuine stardom.