Chicago Bears: Early projections for Justin Fields in 2023

D.J. Moore, Tyler Scott, D’Onta Foreman, Roschon Johnson, Robert Tonyan, Darnell Wright, Nate Davis… Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles did everything he could to surround Justin Fields with the necessary talent for a breakout season in 2023.

Poles gave his quarterback a true alpha wide receiver in Moore, plus another speedy, young, deep threat like Scott via the NFL Draft. He reloaded the back field with plenty of versatile talent through free agency and the draft with Foreman, Johnson and even Travis Homer.

Tonyan adds another threat at tight end who is used to catching touchdowns and can be a real red zone problem.

Plus, the offensive line is much-improved from where it was a year ago.

So, just how good of a season can we expect out of Fields? Well, if he can stay healthy, I’d say he’s set up for a pretty good season ahead.

2023 is set up to be a true breakout for Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields

2023 stat projections

280/431 (64.9 percent)

3,401 passing yards

28 passing touchdowns

10 interceptions

129 rushes

827 rushing yards

5 rushing touchdowns

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields will have his best game and worst game in back-to-back weeks in 2023

Best game: Week 8 @ Los Angeles Chargers

Last year, the Chargers’ pass defense was actually pretty strong, as they finished a top-10 unit. Their run defense, however, was one of the worst in the league. This is where the Bears will begin making their mark in the game.

Fields will have a stellar game on the ground, but because of the Bears keeping Los Angeles honest, he’ll also make some big plays through the air. This one is in prime time, too, and Fields will duel it out with Justin Herbert in an instant classic.

Don’t forget, last year, Fields had a breakout performance against a Bill Belichick defense in prime time. Against the Chargers, he’ll end up with over 100 rushing yards, a touchdown, plus 238 passing yards and three scores.

Worst game: Week 9 vs. New Orleans Saints

In typical Bears fashion, fans go from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows just with just one week in between.

Last year, the Saints were the league’s number two overall passing defense and also finished fifth overall in sacks. Despite an underwhelming season overall, New Orleans’ defense was actually one of the better units in football. The front seven also added Bryan Bresee and Isaiah Foskey in the draft, so they’ll be even better.

Fields will struggle against a stingy defense, completing less than 50 percent of his passes and throwing for less than 150 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions. The Bears, somehow, make this a close game and are able to win it on the ground, rushing for over 200 yards and winning by a score of 17-13.