Bears are committed to QB Justin Fields, for now

Chicago has affirmed its belief in Justin Fields as its starting QB, but the commitment is not long term. 

Bears head coach Matt Eberflus and general manager Ryan Poles are doing everything they can to surround Fields with talent in 2023. They traded for wide receiver D.J. Moore, drafted offensive tackle Darnell Wright and signed guard Nate Davis. 

Chicago has given Fields -- the 11th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft --  a window to prove he can be their long-term solution at quarterback. If he doesn't improve, especially as a passer, the Bears could trade him after the 2023 season or let him walk after the 2024 season, when his rookie deal is up. 

The Bears held the No. 1 overall pick heading into the 2023 NFL Draft, meaning Eberflus and Poles could have easily drafted a QB of their own choosing to replace Fields. They decided to build around Fields, for the time being.

Chicago traded the first overall pick to Carolina, which ended up becoming QB Bryce Young. The Bears received Moore, Carolina's first-round selection in 2023 (No. 9), the Panthers’ 2023 second-round pick (No. 61), a 2024 first-round selection and a 2025 second-round pick.

Moore will provide a No. 1 option for a team that struggled mightily passing in 2022. Per Pro Football Reference, Fields finished 26th in passing yards (2,242) and 17th in touchdown passes (17).

The blame for Chicago's poor passing game doesn't fall squarely on Fields. According to StatMuse, the Bears' leading receiver in 2022 was tight end Cole Kmet with 544 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Kmet's numbers are good for a middle-of-the-pack tight end but awful for a leading receiver on an NFL team. 

The Bears could build an effective offense by focusing on the run. In free agency, they added running back D’Onta Foreman, who will pair with Khalil Herbert and Fields to form the Bears' ground attack in 2023. 

Although he struggled through the air, Fields shined on the ground in 2022.  The former Buckeye has a higher floor than many of the more traditional, pocket passing NFL QBs due to his rushing abilities. 

Per StatMuse, Fields led all NFL QBs in rushing yards (1,143) and was second in rushing touchdowns (eight) in 2023.

If Fields doesn't produce in 2023, the Bears have enough draft capital to go after another QB in the 2024 draft. Bears fans might not be happy with that, but that's the team's reality.