Couple decent conversations in here at the moment... @IrishDawg42 - Would you say that Justin Fields has done enough statistically (no other factors) to warrant not attempting to upgrade at passer? This is just a primer question for unpacking some things when it comes to the Bears decision at the top.
Thats why I posted that bit from Moore. Keeping Fields and trading down has got to be on the table in Chicago. They can do serious damage keeping him or trading him or a trade down... they are in a win-win situation, imo for fwiw.
In addition to the Bears QB situation... Ryan Poles: No QB master plan to share with anyone today A report last week said that the Bears would have a quarterback plan in place by the Scouting Combine, but General Manager Ryan Poles threw cold water on that idea during a Tuesday press conference. The Bears have Justin Fields under contract and they have the first pick in this year’s draft, so their call about how to move forward at the position is likely going to lead to a trade of some kind in the near future. Poles said on Tuesday that the team “won’t be in a rush” as they come to their decision. “The hot topic,” Poles said. “The 1st pick. The quarterback situation. Contrary to reports out there, I have no master plan to present everyone today. This is an opportunity for us to continue to gather information, learn about the different players in the draft, listen to what opportunities could come up and then, at the end of the day, we’re gonna to make the best decision that we can for the Chicago Bears. It will not be based on fear of what could happen with this, what could happen with that. We’re gonna put our information together and make the best decision.” Fields said last week that he wants to know where he’ll be in 2024 sooner rather than later and Poles says he can “understand how uncomfortable” the current situation is for the quarterback because “no one wants to live in gray.” Poles said it “depends on what opportunities pop up” when asked about a timeline for trading Fields if that becomes the path the team follows this offseason, so no resolution is likely right around the corner in Chicago. PFT ______ _______________ Im assuming (with risk of making an ass out of... well just me) that if Poles had a plan it would remain secretive anyways. You cant let the cat out of the bag at this point in time... it would be detrimental to the other GM's looking to trade up.
Absolutely not. My thoughts are more based on the QB class. Obviously everything you do is based on speculation when it comes to college prospects. You haven't had an opportunity to coach them day in and day out. Even their reputation is built on hearsay. What I don't see is a prospect in the same form of CJ Stroud. I know it's too early to write off any prospect from last years class, but if memory serves, Stroud is the only one I deemed a top 10 prospect, let alone someone to be considered for the #1 overall pick. I was shocked when the Panthers went the direction they did. Fast forward one year, Fields, to me made some very positive strides that show me that his potential could be reached. He is a better player in the 2024 off season than he was in the 2023 off season. Personally, I think the Bears need to improve the components around the QB right now to understand better what Fields value really is. Interior o-line will need an upgrade They need a RB that is healthy enough to play 14-17 games for consistency. They need a complimentary receiver to DJ Moore Defense is going to need upgrades to become a playoff team regardless. As for Fields specifically though, for MY money, if they can get a nice offer from either Washington or New England, adding a first round pick in 2025, I would do it in a heart beat. I know it's too early to speculate, but I think Carson Beck will end up being a higher ceiling prospect than Caleb Williams in 2025. I am playing on what challenges the Patriots will have in 2024, but I think that would help elevate the Bears team the most by making a trade back to #3 (if the Patriots are a willing partner) and taking the best player in the 2024 draft. I believe strongly in Marvin Harrison Jr., frankly I would hate to see his talents wasted in Arizona. I think he would be set up better for success with Justin Fields than with Kyler Murray.
Right?! This shouldn't be a headline. The older I get the click bait annoys me more and more. Detrimental to the trade up AND a potential trade of Fields. He might be willing to trade Fields, but tell them it has to be an outstanding offer... I don't know what an outstanding offer for Fields is, but I am DAMN sure Poles doesn't want anyone knowing what his definition of that is.
I appreciate the rest of your post, but I'm just breaking things down into fractions at the moment. Does anyone else think there may be an argument for the Bears not to consider upgrading at passer based on only the statistics that Fields has put up at this point? @EvertonBears @dlinebass5 @RTTRUTH @Willie @LAOJoe @nybites @BearsWillWin @StlCrtn @gidion72 and anyone else I might have missed that has recently posted on this thread...
so to elaborate.... I truly believe you have to have a generational QB in order to win a Super Bowl without all the other pieces in place. Do I think Justin Fields is generational? No way, no how. Do I think Patrick Mahomes is generational? Absolutely That is your spectrum you are dealing with... I think Josh Allen is somewhere in between, where as I think Baker Mayfield is below Fields on the spectrum... Baker Mayfield was a playoff QB in 2024, hell he was a division winner. Patrick Mahomes is THE TOP of the Spectrum, Justin Fields is NOT the bottom of the Spectrum. Could Caleb Williams be in between? Sure... Could Caleb Williams be above Mahomes? I am about as sure as anything I know to date that he is not. Could Caleb Williams be below Fields on the spectrum? I truly believe that is a probability, not just a possibility. So, If I had the tools to add more talent around a mid tier spectrum QB, I would certainly go that route, rather than "potentially" raising the bar at one position, even if it is the most important position in the game. If this were a year when Andrew Luck was coming out... Then no, his prospective was that of generational. Evaluate whether you find Caleb Williams as generational and that is your answer to your inner struggle.
This is where most of it is going to end up, and individual opinions are going to vary. I have some questions here that I'm going to go through one at a time for anyone that's willing to participate, answer and opine on. Then I'll wrap it all up and see what kind of views come out of it. It's a completely selfish endeavor as I have a never-ending interest in how people inform and mold their opinions on the draft, but it also should make for some solid conversation for those that wish to participate.
Based exclusively on Fields stats without consideration of coaching, team around him, etc... the Bears MUST consider an upgrade at QB, especially with his passing stats, because the running stats make him look like a RB, there great, but the passing stats are kinda dreadful.
I did the Versus Finder thing on Stathead and compared Fields stats to multiple comparable current QB's and he did not fare well at all.
I have to finish up some work and a short road trip, but look forward to whatever you got when i can settle back in.
Taking the rushing out of the equation though, Lamar Jackson is down 2 MVP trophies.... Lamar Jackson has one of the best defenses in the NFL which helps him in the long run. How much could a similar team help Justin Fields?
One of my main complaints about last off season was how little Ryan Poles did to address the offensive line, specifically the interior. Getsy didn't help the situation. You have a hard time making an honest evaluation of Fields, when he's had such shit to deal with. A lot of us Bears fans have opined about this since the season started last year. No, Fields has not shown me what he needs to in order to be relied on, statistically or otherwise. I still think you can build an offense around him, but you need to put in all the work that the Bears just haven't, so far.
The 'or otherwise' is going to be something that I circle back to after a couple more people chime in.
Eye test tells me Fields may be better than his stats. He needs an OLine. Fields is not generational but he could be a top 10/15 passer. I was not a Fields believer but when I watch him I think I see something good. He didn't step up enough this past year but I see potential. The problem is if he hits that potential now he is gonna be expensive to the cap compared to getting a new QB. If you think there is an amazing QB in this draft (doesn't have to be generational but gotta be someone you think will fight for a top 5 spot soon) then you draft him and move on from Fields. If you don't see something then don't waste your draft capital on a QB you don't believe in just on some odds others think he is good. Heck in that case trade it for a haul because whoever's 1st you get next year is gonna be high if you think the QB class is meh.
I’d keep Fields , draft a QB @ 1 then give some thought into BPA @ 9. WR OT or if by some miracle Brock Bowers. To me the draft should be stacking talent not filling glaring holes. let him sit & if Fields doesn’t get pushed by Williams, Maye, or Daniels then cut bait. So you’re doing what GB has been doing for years . Draft a QB let him sit and learn. te pick 9 you need to accrue picks , if you can slide back fill the gap between 9 and 75
They absolutely HAVE TO consider moving on. Not saying they have to do it, but have to consider. With the way the financials work these days, the proverbial “re-setting of the clock” with a QB on a rookie deal must be considered. ESPECIALLY if front office believes there’s a reasonable chance a rookie QB is a better passer and/or leader than Fields. So far, Fields hasn’t convinced anyone other than DJ Moore that he’s the answer. BUT, the elephant in the room is even if you take a new franchise guy, you kept the same Head Coach. So you might just be restarting the Merry-go-round. It’s an almost unprecedented situation for Poles to navigate. And his job is certainly on the line.
Just keeping it one frame at a time, because I'm going to move this along with a few different questions/angles and I'm looking to zero in on certain aspects individually - Has Fields done enough statistically to warrant not considering moving on? A simple yes or no with something about his stats and why you think one way or another based on those stats, and then I'll get this going into the next thing...
Tim I've seen enough of this questioning shit on CNN. I don't want to play with Lawyer wording rn lol.
