Former Buckeyes QB Justin Fields Worried About Wins, Not Extensions With Bears In 2023
Former Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields isn't worried about trying to earn a contract extension next offseason. His first — and perhaps only — priority is getting the Chicago Bears out of the NFC cellar.
Fields, the former No. 11 overall pick, enters a pivotal third year with the Windy City franchise that could determine his future as the team's starter. The Bears look substantially better on paper thanks to upgrades in the receiving room and offensive line.
All that's fine during talking season. The playing season is what gets prospects and potential franchise cornerstones paid. Fields' future with the franchise hangs in the balance of a breakout season, and his focus is on the present entering the second stage of offseason workouts.
"I'm not worried about contracts, I'm worried about wins," Fields said during voluntary OTAs Monday. "I could care less."
Despite featuring one of the league's top rushing offenses, Chicago owned one of the worst passing units a season ago. The Bears averaged 130.5 yards per game through the air, leading to regression under center. Fields, who threw for over 5,300 yards and 65 TDs during his two seasons, completed 60.4 percent of his passes for 2,242 yards, 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 15 games in 2022.
The Bears prioritized building up their offense in both the trenches and arsenal, adding players like offensive guard Nate Davis and tight end Robert in free agency while drafting Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright and Cincinnati receiver Tyler Scott.
Chicago also upgraded in terms of No. 1 receiver by trading the top pick to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for multiple selections and Pro Bowler D.J. Moore. Moore, a three-time 1,000-yard pass-catcher in Charlotte, should provide stability opposite Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool on the perimeter.
"DJ brings great talent to this team -- just his personality, it fits in well with everybody really from the first day he got here. He's a hard worker, a great player," Fields said. "His personality, I think just the way he acts around the guys, he just fits in really well with our team. Definitely excited about that."
While the Bears would love to limit Fields' chance of getting hurt in the open field, his mobility has been an asset to any early success. Chicago's potent run game benefitted from having No. 1 in its backfield as he came just 64 shy yards shy of breaking Lamar Jackson's single-season quarterback rushing record.
Initially, Fields was disappointed coming so close and yet so far, but he said he'd much rather have a passing record attached to his name than a running one.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles hitched his wagon to the "Fields Express" for another season. After coming over from Kansas City, Poles committed himself to Fields for a sophomore go-around that ended up garnering the No. 1 pick. He must have seen enough in Fields to pass on four potential first-round quarterbacks with upside, including Fields' replacement in Columbus, C.J. Stroud.
During the pre-draft process, Fields said he never felt the franchise was interested in replacing him, but was instead doing its due diligence of interviewing the best players. The staff is putting its trust in a breakout season from Fields.
He'll now have to live up to the criteria in what could be a meaningful season at Soldier Field.
"It’s just great having that feeling," Fields said. "I trust them. Everybody in the building knows the kind of leader and person I am.’’
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