Chicago Bears News: Justin Fields has room for growth in latest QB rankings

The Chicago Bears are hoping Justin Fields takes another leap forward and finally solves the franchise’s seven-decade-long problem at quarterback.

General Manager Ryan Poles spent the offseason adding pieces around his quarterback after Fields showed dynamic playmaking ability. Justin showed last season he can make incredible things happen with his legs. His play in the passing still leaves something to be desired

Poles wants to see Fields develop in the passing game. So does everyone else.

The Athletic recently published their quarterback tier rankings. Coaches and executives believe Justin Fields is a tier-three quarterback because of his inconsistencies in the passing game.

Mike Sando asked 50 league insiders on where they would rank 30 veteran NFL quarterbacks in a tiering system.

It was a collection of defensive and offensive coordinators, head coaches, general managers, team executives, and a few quarterback coaches.

The majority of them put Fields in the third tier. Justin ended up ranked as the 21st overall quarterback according to the survey results.

Before you think the league is undervaluing Justin Fields, the third tier does a good job of describing where Fields is at.

A third-tier quarterback is considered a legitimate starting quarterback in the NFL who needs a running game or a good defense to help win games. In addition, operating out of the shotgun is the best way to get the most out of the quarterback’s talents.

Last season, Fields had a terrible offensive line and wide receivers to work with.

He also held onto the ball too long and struggled with completing easy passes. One executive in the survey felt Fields lacked anticipation on his throws and that goes all the way back to his days at Ohio State.

Fields must get better at throwing the ball in time and on time.

He can no longer afford to wait for his receivers to be wide open. He must throw to a spot and hope his receiver is there. You can no longer blame the talent around him. Poles went and got him D.J. Moore and Robert Tonyan to help in the passing game. Chase Claypool has had a full offseason to work with Fields.

Poles also upgraded the offensive line. Now it is on Fields.

By all accounts, Justin is having a good first week of training camp (although the offense reportedly struggled today).

In addition, the feedback provided to Sando was not bad. One offensive coordinator and a defensive coordinator think Fields can move into the second tier of quarterbacks. Five respondents already think Fields has reached level two.

It is interesting to see how the league and the players view Justin Fields compared to Trevor Lawrence.

Those two have been forever linked together going back to their high school days. Lawrence was the first-overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2020 draft while Fields went to the Chicago Bears at No. 20.

Lawrence was placed in the second tier and was ranked No. 8 according to Sando’s survey.

Players around the league ranked Fields higher than Lawrence.

Although, Trevor does check more of the boxes based on the Athletic’s criteria. Lawrence already has a playoff win and has actually proven he can carry his team to a victory (or two). Plus, Lawrence has better passing numbers than Fields.

Lawrence went from the third tier last year to the second tier. It is no wonder Jacksonville won the AFC South (although the division was bad) and a playoff game (in comeback fashion).

That is just another reason that Justin Fields needs to take a step in the passing game if he is to elevate not only his game but the Chicago Bears as a franchise.