SI Reports: Bears Likely to Exercise Justin Fields' 5th-Year Option
Justin Fields, the Bears' quarterback, keeps his eyes on the prize � and that prize, for him, is not just a hefty contract extension but an impressive win record. Yet, the 2023 season looms large for Fields and the Bears, setting the stage for a pivotal decision: will Fields helm the team for another decade, or is he on the clock?
The Bears' crossroads moment with Fields is slated for May next year, with the decision to exercise or decline his fifth-year option.
Drafted NFL rookies sign four-year contracts. However, there's an added perk for first-round picks: the possibility of a fifth-year extension. The choice falls on the team, and it needs to be made before the player's fourth year. Fields, having been drafted in 2021, is on the cusp of this key decision next spring. If the Bears opt against the extension, he could become a free agent.
A recent Sports Illustrated analysis of 2021 first-round draft picks indicates that the odds are in favor of the Bears taking up Fields' option.
Even if the Bears decide against exercising Fields' fifth-year option, this doesn't exclude the possibility of a contract extension post his fourth year. This was the case with the Giants and Daniel Jones. Alternatively, the Bears could propose a fresh contract to Fields, bypassing the extension option entirely. It's worth noting that the asking price for quarterbacks has been escalating annually. Patrick Mahomes set a new benchmark in 2020 with a whopping 10-year, $503 million contract. The trend continued in 2022, when the Browns presented Deshaun Watson a five-year deal worth a fully guaranteed $230 million. This year, Jalen Hurts upped the ante with a $51 million per year contract, swiftly outdone by Lamar Jackson's $52 million per year deal.
But it's not just top-tier quarterbacks commanding astronomical figures. Jones bagged a four-year, $160 million deal, with $92 million guaranteed from the Giants this offseason, despite his fifth-year option being declined. This places his average annual value at a solid $40 million. While Jones may not be on par with the likes of Mahomes, Hurts or Jackson, he's certainly not lagging far behind.
Given the dizzying sums spent on quarterbacks, the Bears need to ascertain their confidence in Fields sooner rather than later. They've already shown commitment to his success by beefing up their wide receiver squad and revamping the offensive line. Now, it's up to Fields to show how far he can drive the team with an enhanced supporting cast.
| POLL | ||
31 MAI | 45 ANSWERS SI Reports: Bears Likely to Exercise Justin Fields' 5th-Year Option Should the Bears make Justin Fields their franchise QB long-term? | ||
| Yes | 35 | 77.8 % |
| No | 10 | 22.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
