Justin Fields’ Hatred Of The Packers Has Reached The Next Level
Outside expectations for the Chicago Bears are as low as they can get. Most national media experts believe the team will compete for the worst record in the NFL. Projections have them winning no more than four games—such pessimism centers around their offense. Justin Fields struggled as a rookie in 2021. Since then, the organization didn’t do much to improve the situation around him. They spent minor resources in free agency and used their top two draft picks on defense.
It is hard to believe a quarterback can get better if a team doesn’t invest in him. GM Ryan Poles countered with a belief they have. Maybe not at the same level as the Jaguars, Jets, and Dolphins, but it isn’t like the Bears were quiet. They added several new faces at wide receiver and the offensive line. More importantly, they brought in Luke Getsy with what should be a far superior offensive scheme compared to what Matt Nagy was running.
Fields himself believes the doom and gloom are overblown.
He feels the offense has more potential than people give it credit for. He’s a big believer in Darnell Mooney as a wide receiver and has a growing trust in Cole Kmet at tight end. He also played a role in getting the Bears to draft Velus Jones. Then there is the overall mindset of the offense. He insisted that everybody in the building was on the same page. They know what must be done and are putting in the work to get there.
As far as his personal goals, Fields is keeping it simple. He has two of them. Jeff Joniak asked him on Bears All Access what the young quarterback wants. Fans will love the response.
“I want a Super Bowl. That’s all I want. I don’t care what happens. I want a Super Bowl, and of course, I want to beat the Packers. That’s really the only thing I want in life right now. I’m not gonna lie.”
Fields got his first taste of the Bears-Packers rivalry last year, which was frustrating. In the first meeting at Soldier Field, Fields got his team to within three at 17-14 with eight minutes to go with a beautiful 80-yard drive. Then Aaron Rodgers did what he does and put the game out of reach with a TD of his own. Later that December, Fields had an even better chance. He played one of his better games with 224 yards passing, 74 rushing, and two touchdown passes with two interceptions. Chicago led 27-21 at halftime. Green Bay then blew it open in the second half for a 45-30 victory.
Justin Fields doesn’t like losing rivalry games.
Go back and look at his college record at Ohio State. He was undefeated against the Big Ten in two years as a starter. Michigan? Penn State? Wisconsin? All failed to take him down. Fields came in with an immediate appreciation for how serious Bears fans are about the Packers rivalry. That is why he seemed to play that much harder in those games. One can imagine the frustration at not getting the job done.
This year has a chance to be different. Green Bay lost their best offensive weapon in star receiver Davante Adams. Top pass rusher Za’Darius Smith is also gone. While the Packers remain favorites to win the division, they don’t feel like the same team they’ve been for the past three seasons. Justin Fields would love nothing better than to announce his arrival to the rest of the NFL by handing them an L.
Then he can focus on the bigger prize of a championship.
It is nice to see the young quarterback understand the two goals go hand in hand. If the Bears want to win a Super Bowl, they’ll have to go through Green Bay to get there. It has always been that way.