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2021 comparison of Chicago Bears Justin Fields and Trevor Lawrence

By Jordan Campbell

Dec 20, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) hands the ball off to running back David Montgomery (32) against the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) hands the ball off to running back David Montgomery (32) against the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chicago Bears Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports /

The Chicago Bears believe Justin Fields can be their franchise quarterback despite not setting him up for success his rookie season.

Justin Fields was never meant to be a part of the Chicago Bears plans. The Bears began the 2021 offseason by making overtures into trading for Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, and then Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz.

After all those trade attempts failed, the Bears turned their attention to the free agent market. The Bears missed out on free agent quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Ryan Fitzpatrick and ultimately were forced to sign veteran Andy Dalton. Despite Dalton being a consolation prize for the Bears, the team rolled out the red carpet for the quarterback and anointed him as QB1.

It was not until the night of the 2021 NFL Draft that the Bears finally identified a plan at the quarterback position. After Justin Fields fell out of the top 10, the Bears traded up to the No.11 spot in the draft and selected Fields. Fields instantly became the future of the Bears’ organization.

The problem is that the Bears had no plan in place for Fields. Bears head coach Matt Nagy was not prepared to develop a rookie quarterback and that was evident as Fields did not compete for a starting job during training camp and pre-season and then was resigned to the scout team quarterback during practice in the regular season.

Given the lack of plan by the Bears and Nagy, it should come as no surprise that Fields’ rookie season was inconsistent. Fields appeared in 12 games with the Bears during the 2021 season, 10 starts, and compiled 1,870 passing yards and 7 touchdowns with a completion percentage of 58.9 percent. Fields was a threat on the ground as he rushed for 420 yards and 2 touchdowns during his rookie season.

Fields did struggle with turnovers during his rookie season as he threw 10 interceptions and had 12 fumbles (8 fumbles lost).

With Nagy no longer in place and a regime that has identified an actual plan for Fields, the quarterback should succeed in his season season.

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