NFL executive, Bears veterans split on Justin Fields

At least one unnamed NFC executive thinks the Chicago Bears should replace quarterback Justin Fields with a to-be rookie such as Caleb Williams of the USC Trojans or North Carolina Tar Heels star signal-caller Drake Maye. 

"I just think we know what [Fields] is at this point -- a great athlete and playmaker who misses some throws he shouldn't or doesn't always take the throws available to him," that executive told ESPN for a piece produced by Jeremy Fowler and Courtney Cronin that was published Tuesday. "You can win some games with him, and he's got some elements to his game that are really impressive, but it's not sustainable long-term from a pocket-passing standpoint, in my opinion."

The Bears now know they'll hold the rights for the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft via the March 2023 trade with the Carolina Panthers, and analysts such as Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports and Walter Cherepinsky of Walter Football believe Chicago will use that asset to acquire Fields' replacement. Fields acknowledged last month his future is uncertain beyond Week 18, but that was before it was learned that head coach Matt Eberflus is expected to remain with the Bears this winter. 

It's unknown if Eberflus wants to attach his job status to Fields through the start of next season, but the 24-year-old clearly has fans inside the Chicago locker room. 

"No one in here thinks Justin's not a top quarterback," an unnamed Chicago veteran player told ESPN. "No one would tell you that. Everyone believes he's a top-10 quarterback in the league."

According to ESPN stats, Fields ended Week 17 ranked 22nd in the NFL among qualified players with a 46.3 adjusted QBR, 23rd with an 85.8 passer rating and 29th with a 61.0% completion percentage for the season. He's second among quarterbacks with 630 rushing yards, but that aspect of his game has never been in question throughout his three pro campaigns. 

"It's like, if you get rid of him, what are we doing?" a Bears veteran said about Fields. 

In doing so, the Bears would be saying they believe an upgrade at the sport's most important position is available via the draft.