Bears president Kevin Warren discusses future of Justin Fields

Chicago Bears president and CEO Kevin Warren wants people within the NFL community to know he's quite fond of quarterback Justin Fields as Warren's front office possibly prepares to shop the 2021 first-round draft pick to other teams. 

"I'm a supporter of Justin because I got a chance to work with him when I was commissioner of the Big Ten conference," Warren said about Fields during an interview with WGN News, as shared by Ryan Taylor of NBC Sports Chicago. "He is incredibly talented. He is smart. He works hard. And he wants to be a great NFL football player. And now he just needs to make sure he has the support around him. He's working hard. I would love to see him this offseason and make sure he's totally healthy going into the season next year."

The Bears hired Warren in January 2023, meaning he has no direct working ties to Fields beyond the past year. According to ESPN stats, Fields ended the 2023 regular season ranked 23rd in the NFL among qualified players with a 46.1 adjusted QBR and 24th with an 86.3 passer rating. He tossed 16 touchdown passes and nine interceptions over 13 games, and he also rushed for 657 yards and four scores. 

Analysts from CBS Sports, ESPN and other outlets expect the Bears will use this year's No. 1 overall draft pick to acquire Fields' replacement.

"Justin has a rare combination of intelligence, of size, of strength and speed," Warren added about his current QB1. "You forget how big of a man he is until you're up on him. He's not a small man. I just think every year he's going to continually get better."

Warren has nothing to lose in talking Fields up ahead of the start of the new league year in March, especially if teams such as the Pittsburgh Steelers are seriously interested in landing the 24-year-old ahead of the draft. Nevertheless, there's likely little Warren can say that will stop reporters from linking the Bears with USC Trojans star signal-caller Caleb Williams in mock drafts. 

"Williams fills their immediate need and presents an electric combination of accuracy and playmaking for new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron," ESPN's Field Yates wrote about a Williams-Bears relationship for a piece published on Wednesday.