For the first time in franchise history, the Chicago Bears don’t have a quarterback problem.
OK, maybe that’s a bit extreme. The Bears were in good hands with Jim McMahon under center, and Jay Cutler provided the kind of hope that only franchise quarterbacks can. And while McMahon did general a Super Bowl-winning team, the Cutler era was an unfulfilling eight seasons of .500 football.
Enter Justin Fields, who’s changed not only the short- and long-term outlook of the Bears but is also re-writing NFL records.
The success Fields is enjoying over the last month of the season has begun to shift the NFC North hierarchy, too. It isn’t reflected in the standings yet, which isn’t a surprise because of the work GM Ryan Poles has in front of him to rebuild the Bears’ roster. But Chicago has a leg up on the rest of the division at the game’s most important position.
Here’s a look at our NFC North Quarterback Power Rankings with seven weeks left in the 2022 regular season.
4. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
Goff has been serviceable for the Lions this season and even helped Detroit come from behind and defeat the Bears at Soldier Field in Week 10. But even the most optimistic Lions fan would admit that quarterback is the team’s top priority in the 2023 NFL Draft.
At this point in his career, Goff is a serviceable starter. He’s completing 64% of his passes this season and has 15 touchdowns to seven interceptions. He’s been a good bridge quarterback for a Detroit roster getting closer to competing once they land a young signal-caller.
3. Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings
Cousins has an argument for ranking second on this list, especially with the season he’s having this year. He’s led the Vikings to a division-leading 8-1 record, but his 87.0 quarterback rating is the lowest he’s scored since 2014. There’s room for improvement, but there’s no denying Cousins is the leader of a Vikings team that has little standing in its way of an NFC North title this year.
