It’s incredible to think just a few months ago, people were clamoring for Justin Fields to remain the starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears after a 7-10 finish in 2023. They didn’t need to draft a new one with the #1 overall pick. Just trade it again, get a massive haul, and keep building around #1. GM Ryan Poles declined, believing Caleb Williams offered more upside as a passer. Chicago traded Fields to Pittsburgh where many felt he’d have a good chance to win the starting quarterback job. Instead, it seems the bloom is off the rose based on recent reports.
The first red flag came when rumors emerged that the Steelers were considering moving Fields to kick return duties, hoping to take advantage of the NFL’s new rule. That is not something you do with a quarterback who supposedly has any chance of competing for the starting job. Things haven’t gotten much better since then. Fields’ long-standing issues with timing and anticipation as a passer continue popping up in practices. As if to rub salt in the wounds, EA Sports released a trailer for their upcoming Madden NFL 25 game. In it, front and center, they show Fields returning a kickoff.
Chicago was behind him because they knew what he’d been through over the past three years. He’d survived the end of the Nagy/Pace era, watched the roster get torn down, and fought hard to improve. The kid deserved more. That said, he couldn’t escape his own demons. Teams aren’t stupid. They watch players all the time. The league was well aware of Fields’ issues as a passer. If they weren’t concerned about it, there is no way the Bears would’ve only gotten a conditional 6th round pick for him.
Pittsburgh has denied at every turn that they don’t see Justin Fields as a starter. Yet actions speak louder than words. Every indication to this point says Russell Wilson has the job, and there is nothing Fields can do to change that. His best chance to see action is through gadget plays like Taysom Hill or embracing the idea of returning kicks. It would explain the rumors of him being “disengaged” during practices. He likely isn’t wild about not playing. Similar problems arose during his rookie season when Andy Dalton was named the starter.
Emotional maturity was always a question with Fields. This situation isn’t likely to help.
