Justin Fields is the starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears. He played high school football at Harrison High School in Kennesaw, Georgia, and topped the 2018 recruiting class as ESPN’s number one ranked prospect and the number two prospect according to sites such as Rivals and 24/7 Sports. The Kennesaw native committed to play football at the University of Georgia out of high school. He was not given a starting position, however, and transferred to The Ohio State University in anticipation of the 2019 season. Fields went on to be prolific in his starts at Ohio State, throwing for 3,273 yards and 41 touchdowns and three interceptions in 14 games in 2019. He followed that season up with another spectacular, COVID-reduced 2020 season when he threw for 2,100 yards in just eight games, accumulating 22 touchdowns and just six interceptions over that span. He also utilized his blazing speed (4.51 40-time) to rush for 867 yards in 22 games as a starting collegiate quarterback.
Justin Fields’ tantalizing athleticism and his 6’3”, 228-pound frame inspired the Chicago Bears to trade up from pick twenty to pick eleven to secure him in the 2021 NFL Draft. Even so, his rookie season was a roller coaster. The Bears insisted on starting the veteran Andy Dalton to start the 2021 season, despite their investment in Fields. They finally handed the rookie the keys to the offense in Week 3. Unfortunately, Fields sustained a number of injuries - cracked ribs in Week 11, an injured hand in Week 14, and an ankle sprain in Week 15. He missed four games in his rookie season, and when he was on the field, his play left plenty to be desired. Fields finished 31st among NFL quarterbacks in QBR in 2021, 22nd in deep ball attempts, and 33rd in true passer rating. A subpar coaching staff, a number of drops and a protection rate that ranked 34th in the NFL also held Fields back in his rookie season.
There is reason for optimism, however, regarding Justin Fields’ career as a fantasy quarterback. Fields ranked No. 2 among qualified quarterbacks with a 10.1 Air Yards Per Attempt average in 2021. He finished the season with 420 rushing yards (No. 5), 72 carries (No. 6), and 10 red zone carries (No. 15). A new coaching staff and front office helmed by former Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and former Chiefs Executive Director of Player Personnel Ryan Poles are now on board, setting Fields up for success over the course of his rookie contract.
Eberflus and offensive coordinator Luke Getsy capitalized on Fields’ strengths in 2022, letting him loose in the run game. He finished No. 1 among quarterbacks with 1143 rushing yards and No. 2 in rushing TDs, second only to Jalen Hurts. The Bears also tooled up for the passing game, acquiring D.J. Moore from the Panthers in the trade for the No. 1 overall pick. He was No. 30 in True Passer Rating (71.6), and No. 28 in Adjusted Air Yards Per Attempt (5.6) in 2022.
Fields experienced some high highs and low lows during the 2023 season. Having Moore as his WR1, he showed some ability as a passer, notching two four-touchdown games in the middle of the season. Most of the rest of the season, however, he threw one or zero touchdowns. The Bears showed some signs of the Poles rebuild being a success, but Fields will likely not be a part of that after 2023. The Bears own the No. 1 pick in the 2024 Draft and will likely trade Fields away and draft his replacement.
