Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields has been the unfair target of misguided trade speculation since the Bears secured the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.
Blowhards like ESPN’s Mike Tannenbaum quickly suggested Chicago should trade Fields and turn their attention to Alabama quarterback Bryce Young with the first pick, a suggestion that was ludicrous at the time and is even more embarrassing now that the Bears confirmed Fields is their guy.
It’s pathetic that the team had to confirm such a thing, but here we are.
Justin Fields appeared on the Rich Eisen Show this week and acknowledged the trade speculation but confirmed he’s only concerned with what he can control.
“No matter what happens with me, I can control what I can control, and that’s how I approach the game,” Fields said. “That’s how I train for the game and how I carry myself within the game.”
Justin Fields was dynamic in 2022. He nearly set the single-season rushing record for a quarterback, but his up-and-down passing numbers had critics circle like a flock of vultures.
“I think I’ve shown a little bit, but I don’t think I’ve shown the world what I can do in terms of playing the full quarterback position and playing it consistently,” Fields said. “I think there were , some times this year where I was better than others. Like my last game of the season against the Lions, that wasn’t a good game. So just being more consistent for my teammates, for my coaches, for the fan base. Once I do that, once I just keep progressing and keep getting better, then I’ll be good.”
During Senior Bowl week, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported that the Chicago Bears are committed to Justin Fields and that the No. 1 overall pick won’t be spent on a quarterback. Instead, GM Ryan Poles will look to trade down with a quarterback-needy team, and stockpile draft picks to continue building around Fields in 2023 and beyond.
