Industry Experts Discuss Possibility of Bears Selecting New Quarterback in 2024 Draft
Quarterback Justin Fields seems to be on a mission to prove his worth to the Chicago Bears as the franchise quarterback for the foreseeable future.
ESPN's Dan Graziano weighed in on Fields' fate, stating in a recent article, "Were the season to conclude today, with the Bears positioned for the first pick of the 2024 draft�something they are slated to have courtesy of their March trade with the Carolina Panthers�I'd venture they would opt for USC's signal-caller Caleb Williams and look to trade Fields. However, a strong performance by Fields in the coming months, demonstrating the progression the Bears are looking for, could very well secure his role as their starting quarterback."
Fields has faced challenges this season, including a dislocated right thumb, and continues to face scrutiny over his passing prowess in top-tier play.
Per ESPN's statistics, as Week 12 approaches, Fields is ranked 23rd in the NFL with a 44.9 adjusted QBR and is 25th with a completion rate of 62.7%. The 2021 first-round draft pick has recorded 12 touchdown passes and six interceptions across seven games, along with 341 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown from 65 carries.
The future of head coach Matt Eberflus and general manager Ryan Poles remains uncertain, as mentioned by ESPN NFL insiders Graziano and Jeremy Fowler. Kevin Warren, the Bears' president and CEO since January, has not made clear whether he will retain or release Eberflus and Poles after the final week of the season.
Fowler noted, "With Eberflus's 6-22 record in Chicago, any coach's return would be a testament to the organization's immense patience." He also mentioned that while new head coaches typically prefer to start fresh with their own quarterback pick, "Chicago's regard for Fields is strong enough that they would need to be thoroughly impressed by a new prospect to consider moving on from their current starter."
In the end, Warren and his team have from January 8th until the 2024 draft night to decide if they will make a change at the quarterback position, potentially as early as next spring.
| POLL | ||
22 NOVEMBRE | 51 ANSWERS Industry Experts Discuss Possibility of Bears Selecting New Quarterback in 2024 Draft Should the Bears draft Justin Fields' replacement in this year's draft? | ||
| yes | 18 | 35.3 % |
| no | 33 | 64.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
