Former Bear Puts the Blame on Chicago for Justin Fields Failure

It is a new era in Chicago. The Bears finally moved on from Justin Fields over the spring and the expectations are sky-high after a slew of big moves in the offseason. They now have Caleb Williams at the helm and there is more optimism for the future among Bears fans than they had in a long time.

Even though Bears fans are relieved to be entering a new era without Justin Fields, some think that he was unfairly maligned. Former Bears cornerback Davontae Harris is among them. During his appearance on the Bring The Juice podcast, the 29-year-old defender said that the Bears were not trying to win with Fields, making it impossible for the talented quarterback to succeed.

"Justin’s one of the most down to earth people in the world. The job was never not his. I think it’s a matter of what he makes it, and I’ve been around him. He’s gonna turn it into an opportunity. [With the Steelers] he can be a star. Obviously, in Chicago he could too, but when I was in Chicago, they were playing to lose. When they’re playing to lose, it doesn’t matter what you do.”"

- Former Bears CB Davontae Harris

Harris spent part of the 2022 season on the Bears practice squad. He didn't make an appearance for the team but he is not entirely wrong in his evaluation of the situation.

Yes, Fields went 10-28 as a starter in Chicago but he was never put in a position to succeed. Matt Nagy was still in charge, his best wide receiver was Darnell Mooney, and he had one of the worst offensive lines in the league. Then, the team was the youngest roster in the league as the Bears decided to rebuild with Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus. There simply wasn't enough talent around him to succeed.

Does that absolve Fields of all responsibility? Of course not. However, it's also safe to say that he wasn't given the same offensive ecosystem Caleb Williams will have in his rookie year. Fields was a disappointment in Chicago but it wasn't all his fault. Let's see if he can turn it around in Pittsburgh next season.

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