5 reasons why the Chicago Bears should still draft a quarterback
By Todd Welter
The Chicago Bears started the offseason with a debate about whether the team should trade quarterback Justin Fields and draft a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick.
General manager Ryan Poles silenced that debate when he traded the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft to the Carolina Panthers for a haul of draft picks and wide receiver D.J. Moore.
There was some validity to the side wanting to move on from Fields.
Fields is still a very inconsistent passer. Fields is a great running quarterback, but it is a big unknown if he will develop into a great passer. He took a lot of sacks that were partially his fault because held onto the ball too long. Fields also has a losing record as a starting quarterback.
Plus, he was not drafted by Poles. This year’s draft has some quality quarterback prospects in Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Kentucky’s Will Levis, and Florida’s Anthony Richardson.
Poles determined he had to see it through with Justin.
It makes sense. Fields showed flashes that he can be a good passer in the league. Timing and reading defenses are something that can be developed with another offseason of being in the same offense. The losing record is not completely on Fields.
It is not his fault that the talent around him was not good enough to win more games. Fields has the potential to elevate the play of those around, but last year’s team was designed to lose. Also, we know what Justin Fields can do in the NFL. This year’s draft prospects are complete unknowns with way more question marks than Fields.
Now that Poles has settled the debate, the Chicago Bears are going forward with building the offense around Fields.
He got Moore to go with Chase Claypool and Darnell Mooney to give Justin a competent wide receiver group. Cole Kmet is emerging as a good target at tight end. D’Onta Freeman signed this offseason to be paired with Khalil Herbert in the backfield.
All that is left is for Ryan Poles to draft a right tackle (or a left tackle and move Braxton Jones to right) and more offensive line depth to beef up Fields’ protection.
Just because Fields has been anointed the franchise quarterback, it still does not mean Ryan Poles should draft a quarterback in the draft’s later rounds.