The Chicago Bears are firmly focused on their future with Caleb Williams and new head coach Ben Johnson leading the way, but that doesn't mean that it wouldn't be worthwhile to consider how former players are performing in the first Week 1 of the regular season.
Ex-starting quarterback Justin Fields, whom Williams took over for, had his first effort with the New York Jets on Sunday. He played great, and while Williams is the future for Chicago, it's hard not to look at Fields' performance and wonder what could've been.
In fact, the former Bears signal-caller just made New York history in his inaugural effort.
Former Bears QB Justin Fields Makes Jets History in First Start in New York
As reported by the official Jets public relations department on X (formerly known as Twitter), Sunday was the first time since 1991 that New York didn't punt the ball in the first half.
While New York ultimately lost, it's hard to come away from the contest in any fashion other than excited about Field's future. Aside from his beautiful deep corner route TD to Garrett Wilson, he showed off his legs and proved that he's a quarterback who deserves to start in this league.
Considering the excitement around the new coaching staff, Fields' effort is one to be commended. He wound up completing 16 of his 22 pass attempts for 218 yards and a score with no turnover while rushing for a pair of TDs. It was extremely impressive, and Fields deserves a ton of credit.
There were a lot of questions about how he'd perform in his inaugural game with a new team. By any respectable measure, he passed with flying colors. Fields is obviously a starting quarterback in this league and his failures to this point seem to suggest a lack of quality support rather than anything else. He still lost, but Fields wasn't responsible for it.
If Williams struggles in the first few weeks, it'll suggest even more that the organization itself is the problem and not the players. Fields looked like a top-15 type of player. Williams hasn't yet. Expectations across the country suggest that Williams will look great, but we have to see it.
Whether or not Fields ultimately succeeds is irrelevant. It's obvious that the franchise put him in a terrible spot, and it's good to see him now find a better organization worthy of his talent. Here's hoping Williams doesn't face the same fate.