LAS VEGAS This past week in Las Vegas, as the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs got ready for their Super Bowl LVIII matchup—which the Chiefs ultimately won 25–22 in overtime—the obvious names were at the top of the bill.
The headliner is known: Mahomes. Kelce. Quick. Shanahan, Purdy.
However, as the Chiefs and Niners’ title match’s undercard, two more names began to arise.
Caleb Williams and Justin Fields.
From the outside, it may seem absurd that there would be so much talk about a club that went 7-10, a franchise with four playoff victories since 1994, during a week devoted to two teams that overcame every obstacle they faced this season.
But the NFL operates in that manner. Yes, there is revelry during Super Bowl week. However, the league is constantly anticipating what may come next. The league is not suited for stagnation.
Therefore, the Bears’ impending quarterback decision was subject No. 2, even though the Chiefs and 49ers were this past week’s big draw at Mandalay Bay and across the region. Perhaps 1B.
“I find it difficult to make the case for retaining Fields,” a league insider expressed to NBC Sports Chicago. “As a passer, Williams hasn’t produced nearly enough to justify passing on him. I don’t believe they will have any trouble making the choice.
“It’s not just. The NFL is unjust. However, these possibilities are infrequent. Consider the length of time Chicago has required a quarterback. Now is their opportunity, then.”
With players and executives from the past and present flooding Vegas, the differences in viewpoints were striking. Fields’ status as the Bears’ franchise quarterback, in the opinion of current players, shouldn’t be called into doubt. Nearly everyone else, with a few notable exceptions, believes Williams is the Bears’ future.
“You know I’ve seen it, and you know Justin is a [franchise] QB,” wide receiver Tee Higgins of the Cincinnati Bengals said to NBC Sports Chicago. “Everyone witnesses him making numerous plays; they simply need to construct around him.” You are aware that they were selected first. To build around Justin, I believe they should trade the pick and acquire other picks. Give him a chance, please. He only requires a chance.”
“It seems like he’s a great athlete, but I don’t think anyone will pass on the USC guy,” former NFL star tight end Antonio Gates said to NBC Sports Chicago. “With Patrick Mahomes’ ability to throw from all those angles, I don’t see anyone passing on him. It appears to work. Thus, it’s not possible. I’m not going to guess at him.
“You’re still kind of guessing, Justin Fields. Is he capable of being? The question of whether Lamar Jackson can win a Super Bowl remains unanswered. That’s where I placed him. They are not grouped with Russell Wilson. They are not grouped with Josh Allen. For those individuals, they can still play pocket quarterback by literally sitting in the pocket. On the pitch, those guys are the best football athletes. Basically, they have to utilise their legs. As a football player, [Fields] still has that Lamar Jackson vibe in my opinion. Josh Allen can simply sit there and beat you; he doesn’t have that. Aaron Rodgers and I can both be equally destroyed by Russell Wilson.
That’s the point at which they alter. I’ve seen Caleb Williams a lot, and I think he can accomplish the same thing.”Though distinct, the factions were not all in agreement.
Fields should stay with the Bears, an ex-MVP told NBC Sports Chicago, without a doubt.
The former MVP remarked, “I don’t even understand why it’s a question.” Fields is a canine. That’s not how you give up on folks.”
Turn around, and Kurt Warner is justifying the Bears’ decision to let Fields go.
Warner told NBC Sports Chicago, “I think the thing with Justin for me is, he hasn’t shown me he’s that guy.” It doesn’t imply that he lacks skill. It doesn’t mean he can’t be a successful quarterback for a franchise. However, after three years if you don’t eliminate all question and declare, “He’s our guy,” You should probably go on. You can’t just go give him $50 million and hope that the few moments you saw translate into something truly amazing. It might be a bad thing since some of these guys play too soon, they’re not ready yet, and it will probably determine their future move or contract. All we have to go on, though, is that. You need to show me that you are that guy if you have been playing for three years.
A veteran general manager will explain why it is career suicide to pass on Williams for anything less than three first-round selections if you take a left.
As the week progressed and the numbers increased, the topic of discussion switched from “should” to “will.”
“They’ll trade him by early March,” a league source said regarding Fields. “You don’t want to find yourself in a precarious scenario where you have to decide whether to give up on him or hold onto him due to inadequate trade offers. If you hold onto him for too long, you can find yourself in a situation similar to Jimmy Garoppolo’s, where you have to bring him to camp to share a locker room with the player you just drafted because the offers aren’t good.”
Some in league circles, however, believed the Bears could keep Fields on the roster long into training camp and then wait to acquire the most value from a desperate team by waiting for an injury to a leading quarterback, similar to what happened to Aaron Rodgers in Week 1.
“It could be the most effective method to obtain his valuation,” an executive from the league said NBC Sports Chicago. However, it’s a risk. That locker room adores him. You would need to firmly believe in your culture, gather your core group, and ensure that they are aware of the circumstances. Justin is here till Caleb leaves. He’s the one. Is that worth one or two more picks? No, I would say. I propose that they get rid of him before April to make room for Caleb.”
Though views on what the Bears would and should do were divided and hazy, one idea was nearly universally agreed upon: Justin Fields hasn’t received a fair shake in Chicago.
According to quarterback Jordan Love of the Green Bay Packers, “I think he’s persevered through a tough situation and gotten better,” NBC Sports Chicago said. “It’s my man.” However, I believe he faces challenges in Chicago. I believe he accomplished a great deal this year. He undoubtedly made a lot of progress. He persevered despite some wounds. That was difficult. However, I’m interested to see where he ends up in the future, whether it’s in Chicago or another city. But it seems like a challenging job to me. It’s a difficult position to be in, and you know, you know, he takes a lot of the criticism for things that happen there. However, I’m interested to follow Justin’s progress and future plans.”
The Bears’ position as the underdog during Super Bowl week highlights how important this moment is for Poles and the Bears.
One league executive said, “Get it right, and you’ll be remembered forever.” “[Williams] is a young person who defines a career. For many people, he has the power to alter everything. If I could turn in the card now, I would. Everything is going to change, in my opinion.”
