Top Insider Doubles Down On Growing Justin Fields Rumor
Two games remain in the Chicago Bears’ season. While many questions have been answered for GM Ryan Poles, the two most important remain elusive. What should he do with head coach Matt Eberflus and quarterback Justin Fields? Eberflus has made some rough mistakes over the past calendar year. He oversaw the longest losing streak in franchise history. Then he likely helped cost them a trip to the playoffs with three brutal 4th quarter collapses. Fields was part of all that, too. His third season hasn’t been terrible, but many of the same concerns remain.
He invites too many sacks because he tends to hold the ball. Timing and accuracy from the pocket are still inconsistent. He’s yet to play a full season because of injuries. Last but not least, his performances in the 4th quarter aren’t inspiring. That said, he continues to flash rare playmaking ability. Teammates and coaches love him. He’s the unquestioned locker room leader and puts in more work than anybody. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN stated in a recent article there is a serious push inside Halas Hall for Poles to keep Fields.
The insider reinforced that statement on SportsCenter.
Justin Fields controls his own fate now.
That is more than many quarterbacks can ask for. The Bears have two games left. If he plays well in both of them and they happen to win one or two, it may compel the team to stay the course. He will have finished the year playing more efficient football with a 7-6 or 8-5 record over the final 13 games. From that point, Chicago’s goal would be clear. They pick up his 5th-year option in the spring and use their likely two top-10 picks in the draft to bolster the roster around him. Maybe they take one of the best wide receivers available and another pass rusher to play across from Montez Sweat.
Plenty of fans dream of Justin Fields throwing to D.J. Moore and Marvin Harrison Jr. No doubt Poles and the front office will be having that discussion two weeks from now. It won’t be an easy one. Even if lots of people want to keep him around, that doesn’t mean it’s the right decision. Poles has said his sworn duty is to do what is best for the Bears. If he deems Fields will never get them to a Lombardi trophy, then he must be willing to do the unpopular thing by moving on.