Let's recall, the Chicago Bears aggressively traded up with the New York Giants in the 2021 NFL Draft to secure Fields. He showcased flashes of brilliance in his inaugural seasons, even setting the league's single-game record for quarterback rushing yards.
However, Fields' initial 30 NFL appearances have seen more lows than highs. In the recent face-off with the Kansas City Chiefs, he managed 11 completions for 99 yards, along with a touchdown and an interception. His performance did include 11 rushes for 47 yards in their 41-10 loss to the reigning Super Bowl champions.
The Bears are now enduring their 13th consecutive loss since the 8th week of the 2022 season. Alarmingly, Fields has only celebrated five wins in his 28 games as the starting quarterback.
On the flip side, CJ Stroud led the Texans to a 37-17 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. As Fields' successor at Ohio State, he impressively recorded 20 completions for 280 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. Over three games, Stroud boasts 78 completions, 906 yards, and four touchdowns. Furthermore, his 64.5% completion rate trumps Fields' career average of 59.5%. Stroud's accomplishment is amplified by the fact that the Texans defeated a previous season's playoff contender.
Such contrasting performances led to online buzz, with one fan stating:
«Emerging from the same coaching and school, it's evident Stroud is way ahead of Fields in the game. Sometimes, it's just about the player's innate prowess. Fields seems to be missing that X-factor.» Another chimed in with, «CJ Stroud's career already outshines that of Justin Fields.»
Is there trouble brewing for Fields and the Bears?
To state it bluntly, the Chicago Bears are navigating through stormy waters. Their starting left tackle, Braxton Jones, is sidelined due to injury, compromising Fields' protection. However, this is just a glimpse of Chicago's larger issues.
Alan Williams, the former defensive coordinator, stepped down after just two games, referencing health and family concerns. Following this, Head Coach Matt Eberflus assumed the defensive play-calling role in the subsequent game, albeit without much success. More so, Eberflus seemed to avoid addressing the team post-Williams' departure.
Compounding matters, Fields highlighted "coaching" as a potential reason for his game over-analysis. The Chicago Bears' key stakeholders appear disjointed, amplifying the urgency to recalibrate and salvage the season. If not, should the Bears strategize for an optimal draft position to possibly secure Caleb Williams next year?
POLL | ||
25 SEPTEMBRE | 50 ANSWERS NFL enthusiasts spark debate comparing Justin Fields to CJ Stroud after Bears' 0-3 season start ''Some players just don't translate well to the pros." Which QB would you rather have? | ||
Justin Fields | 17 | 34 % |
C.J Stroud | 33 | 66 % |
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