Offseason speculation about the Chicago Bears and where quarterback Justin Fields might fit in 2024 began weeks ago.
One rumored destination for Fields is Atlanta, where the 2021 first-round pick could be viewed as a solution to ongoing quarterback concerns and a potential franchise reset.
The Falcons will get a good look at Fields when they host Chicago on Sunday.
“I’ve got too much to focus on today to worry about tomorrow,” Fields said of the heated debate over where he’ll play next season on Wednesday. “Shoot, I’m not sure. You’re all in the dark. Nobody is aware. Whatever occurs, occurs. When we get to that bridge, we’ll cross it.”
This month, Falcons owner Arthur Blank made no guarantees about coach Arthur Smith’s job status, saying he wants to see how it plays out in the final games of the regular season. Atlanta (7-8) needs two wins and a lot of help to make the playoffs and is currently ranked ninth in playoff seeding (the top seven teams make the playoffs) entering Week 17.
The Falcons have a 10% chance of making the playoffs, according to playoff probability. Smith claimed that you’d have to live in “Perth, Australia” to be unaware of all the postseason talk.
“The reality is that once you get caught up, it’s a waste of time.” Nothing matters more to the players and coaches than Chicago. Nothing else matters if we don’t play well in Chicago,” Smith said on Wednesday.
Atlanta quarterback Taylor Heinicke (ankle) and four of his starting offensive linemen—Jake Matthews (knee), Kaleb McGary (knee), Drew Dalman (ankle), and Chris Lindstrom (ankle)—were all limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. But, with the exception of McGary, all of them were full participants on Friday and were removed from the injury report, whereas McGary is questionable.
Because of Ridder’s chronic turnover issues, Smith supported Heinicke’s return to the starting lineup over Desmond Ridder in last week’s win over Indianapolis. Atlanta has 21 turnovers in 15 games, which is four fewer than Chicago’s (25).
However, the Bears (6-9) have won three of their last four games and had numerous chances to win in their lone loss (20-17 at Cleveland).
Like Smith, Chicago counterpart Matt Eberflus understands that there are no guarantees in the NFL for head coaches who do not produce wins. In this way, Eberflus said he relates to Fields’ approach of focusing solely on the here and now.
The Bears have less than a 1% chance of making the playoffs, requiring a Rubik’s Cube number of turns in their favor after the Week 18 finale against the Green Bay Packers.
“You’re always going to get that,” Eberflus said of rumors and suggestions for replacement quarterbacks and head coaches. “So keep your eyes forward and your feet where they are. That is the most important aspect. You must concentrate on the present moment and strive to improve every day.
“When you do that, you’re going to get better, and you’re going to be able to stay locked in on your job.”
Teven Jenkins, the Bears’ guard, cleared concussion protocol this week and has no injury designation for Sunday. Darnell Mooney (concussion) is out, while tight end Cole Kmet (knee) and offensive lineman Lucas Patrick (knee) are doubtful.
Chicago may not be concerned about playoff travel arrangements, but the clock starts ticking on general manager Ryan Poles and Eberflus the moment Week 18 games are completed. The Bears are one loss away from securing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft if the Carolina Panthers lose.
As is customary, the top prospects include multiple quarterbacks, and Poles stated last spring in an on-the-record interview that he wanted this pick as a safety net in case the Bears weren’t completely convinced Fields was the franchise’s answer at the position.
That’s because sticking with Fields likely means an all-in type of pay raise when his rookie base contract expires in 2024.
Fields isn’t concerned with variables for the time being.
“I’m focused on Sunday and playing this Atlanta team,” Fields was quoted as saying.
–Media at the Field Level
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