Where Justin Fields ranks among Bears QBs
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Justin Fields runs for a touchdown against Detroit at Soldier Field on Dec. 10, 2023. Photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images
The Bears traded starting quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a late draft pick, ending his rollercoaster career in Chicago.
The big picture: The trade makes way for the Bears to choose a rookie quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick in next month's draft.
- Fields becomes the latest addition to the failed quarterback list that haunts Bears history.
Context: Fields was a first-round pick in 2021, coming in to replace failed quarterback Mitch Trubisky. At times, the young quarterback was electric, using his athleticism to evade the rush and rip off long runs.
- He ran for 1,143 yards in 2022, which fell just short of the NFL record for quarterbacks.
Yes, but: Fields' legacy will be dogged by his putrid 10-28 record as a starting QB.
- He has one of the lowest winning percentages of any NFL starting quarterback since 2021.
- He didn't excel as a passer, only once throwing for 300 yards, while being sacked 135 times in his three-year career, which is the fifth-worst total in Bears history.
What they're saying: "We will remember a brilliantly exciting player, who gave us something to look forward to and dream about in an otherwise ugly period for the Bears," The Score radio host Matt Spiegel tells Axios.
- "While he ultimately showed that he was not advanced enough as a pocket passer, we have to acknowledge that he was not given the best of chances."
Between the lines: In his three years under center, Fields had two head coaches, two different offensive coordinators and two general managers.
- Fields' record is skewed due to the Bears choosing to rebuild in 2022, ending with a 3-14 season.
By the numbers: Fields' career passing statistics are paltry, ranking him near quarterbacks like Bob Avellini, Jim Miller and Rex Grossman.
- His overall record puts him toward the bottom of the list, similar to Bobby Douglass and Vince Evans.
The other side: His rushing stats are a cut above all the others (2,220 yards in 40 games), excluding Douglass (2,470 in 61 games).
- He is also nowhere near the worst in turnovers, though he played less games than all-time worsts like Jay Cutler and Sid Luckman.
The bottom line: Fields will always be remembered for his flashy play on a losing team, which puts him in the same category as most Bears quarterbacks in modern history.