The article An ex-Bears player simplifies the Justin Fields vs. draft a quarterback debate originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago.
If you haven’t had enough of the Justin Fields debate, here’s another viewpoint.
One former Bears player distilled the issue. Former tight end Greg Olsen recently responded to Barstool Big Cat on X with his thoughts on the debate.
“No knock on Fields at all,” Olsen wrote. “Assume the top QB in the draft and Fields are the same now and in the future. The tiebreaker is resetting the clock before having to pay the QB $50 million. Once QB is paid, he must be able to plug the holes. Most people cannot. The elite are capable.”
No disrespect intended for Fields. Assume the top QB in the draft and Fields are the same now and in the future. The tie breaker is resetting the clock before having to pay the QB $50 million. Once QB is paid, he must be able to plug the holes. Most people cannot.
Fields’ fifth-year option will be exercisable by the Bears this offseason. Fields will play his final season under his convenient rookie contract, which gives the Bears a $6.4 million cap hit next season.
If the Bears choose to use their current No. 1 draft pick on a quarterback of their choice, the quarterback contract clock will be reset and Fields will be traded.
Another advantage of drafting a quarterback rather than signing Fields to a new contract or a fifth-year extension is that Ryan Poles and the front office can use that money to address other roster needs. The savings from a new rookie quarterback contract can be used to upgrade the offensive line, edge rushers, wide receivers, and other positions.
Potential, on the other hand, does not guarantee success. Fields, while a question mark at the position, has shown flashes of elite play in the past. Fields’ pocket presence has grown noticeably this season, and his rushing ability complements rather than dominates his passing skills.
Unfortunately, Fields suffered a thumb injury that sidelined him for four weeks, costing him and the Bears valuable game time to evaluate him. Having said that, he’s performed admirably in his return, leading the Bears to a victory over the division-leading Lions. He also has four more games left this season to prove his worth as the starting quarterback.
Poles stated last year, and it has been reported again this season, that Poles will need to be “blown away” by the incoming quarterback class in order to move on from Fields. Will his tolerance for Fields decrease now that he has the ability to reset the quarterback contract clock?
We’ll find out soon enough, as the NFL offseason has begun.
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