People were ready to give up on Justin Fields. This writer included. It felt justified. The quarterback had gone through three ugly showings to start the 2023 season. It was a major disappointment after such high expectations coming out of a strong off-season. The Chicago Bears had improved the roster around him with key offensive line additions and a star receiver in D.J. Moore. Yet, things failed to click. Talk of the #1 overall pick and Caleb Williams began. Tyson Bagent had been promoted to the backup spots. It seems like Fields was watching his career slowly disintegrate.
Then something strange happened. Over the course of five days, encompassing two games, he flipped the script. For the first time in 14 years, Fields became the first Bears quarterback to throw for four touchdowns in back-to-back games. Chicago scored a combined 68 points and finally ended their 14-game losing streak. People are left wondering where this Fields has been the whole time. In truth, it may have merely taken time to manifest. After all, the NFL has seen this before.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen saw the same trajectory a few years ago. Towards the end of his second season, his efficiency had improved, but he still struggled to top even 200 yards passing per game. Then, during his 29th start, the switch flipped. He threw four touchdowns in Week 2 and again in Week 3.
Care to know which game Fields hit that four-TD mark? His 29th start. Maybe it’s a coincidence. Maybe it’s a young quarterback finally seeing things slow down.
It’d be one thing if the two opponents were busting coverages and failing to pressure him. That hasn’t been the case. Denver and Washington didn’t suffer huge breakdowns and found ways to get Fields on the turf. It didn’t matter. He was hitting throws that he simply hadn’t in the past. The timing, rhythm, and accuracy were there. It was bewildering to see how quickly things had shifted. A lot was thanks to a commitment to getting Moore the ball more often. Not to mention improving protection from the offensive line. Fields has started resembling the player Chicago drafted from Ohio State a few years ago.
The best part is this trend may continue. Over the next three weeks, the Bears play the NFL’s 21st, 13th, and 32nd-ranked pass defenses. If the line plays like it did against Washington and Moore remains uncoverable, Justin Fields could build some serious momentum. Maybe he’ll even pull the team back into the playoff picture. Things always look optimistic when your quarterback is hot. It’s too early to declare Fields has arrived, but his close trajectory to Allen suggests he’s almost there.
