It wasn't long ago that a lot of Chicago Bears fans called for GM Ryan Poles to ride with Justin Fields in 2024 (and beyond) and use the first pick in April's NFL Draft on wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. The logic behind such a strategy suggested that Fields needed more weapons to unlock his upside as a passer.
Fortunately, Poles didn't listen to those fans and instead selected Caleb Williams first overall. Williams was considered a generational prospect, after all, and quarterbacks with his ability tend to rise above an average supporting cast and find ways to succeed.
I don't think it was a difficult decision for Poles, either. The analytics aren't kind to Fields, who was the unquestioned starter for the Chicago Bears over two seasons in which the team had arguably the worst passing offense in the NFL.
Check out this brutal statistic:
The Chicago Bears lead the NFL in games with fewer than 200 passing yards over the last two seasons: 28. Fields started, yep, you guessed it, 28 games for the Bears since 2022. He threw for less than 200 yards in 19 of those starts.
Indeed, Fields didn't have the best supporting cast, and the play-calling was terrible, too. It's not all his fault, but a refresh, a cleanse of sorts, was badly needed. Fortunately for the Chicago Bears, they were gifted the right to select Caleb Williams this offseason. Fields, meanwhile, is battling Russell Wilson in Pittsburgh to be the Steelers' starting quarterback.
Perhaps it will be a win-win for the Bears and Fields. It certainly can't get any worse than it has been over the last two years.
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