In the most recent episode of their Bleav podcast, Say What Needs to Be Said, former All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler Asante Samuel and former NFL pro Elton Patterson delved into the ongoing drama surrounding the Chicago Bears and their current starting quarterback, former Ohio State Buckeyes standout Justin Fields.
The Bears found themselves with the No. 1 draft pick for the second consecutive year, and while they initially decided to trade down last spring to give Fields another opportunity, it appears that both parties are now open to parting ways, especially considering the promising 2024 class of quarterbacks. Notable prospects include Caleb Williams from USC, Drake Maye from North Carolina, and Jayden Daniels from LSU.
Fields recently made headlines by unfollowing the Chicago Bears on social media and following several Atlanta Falcons accounts instead. Asante Samuel questioned the significance of this move, while Elton Patterson, speaking from an agent’s perspective, advised against such actions, emphasizing that Fields is still under contract with the Bears and should not be signaling a desire to leave.
Samuel pointed out that by unfollowing the Bears, Fields may be signaling to the team that he is disengaged and no longer wants to be part of the organization, which could negatively impact his value. Patterson echoed this sentiment, noting that by alienating the Bears, Fields is potentially limiting his options and decreasing his trade value.
Samuel speculated on potential landing spots for Fields, suggesting that he could be a backup or compete for a starting role with teams like the Falcons, Patriots, or Jets. However, he also acknowledged that Fields is not yet considered a top-tier quarterback and may need to prove himself further.
Fields, who stands at 6’3″ and weighs 227 pounds, entered the league in 2021 as the No. 11 pick in the draft. Known for his running ability, he has shown promise but has struggled with consistency and decision-making, particularly due to a lack of support from his team’s offensive line and receiving corps.
In his career so far, Fields has completed 60.3% of his passes, with a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 40:30. He has accumulated 6,674 passing yards and 2,220 rushing yards. Notably, he holds the record for the most rushing yards by a quarterback in a regular-season game, with 178 yards in a November 2022 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
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