Fields on If Bears Take QB First Overall: ‘Who Am I Playing for Next?’
The Bears own the first pick in the NFL draft, giving them many options entering the offseason.
With Justin Fields coming off a much improved second season, it is unlikely that Chicago takes a quarterback with that pick. However, it isn’t impossible, as a quarterback prospect could blow them away in the draft process.
If the franchise does opt to pick a quarterback, the Bears would have to deal with the fallout with Fields. The current Chicago quarterback told Sports Illustrated what he would be thinking if that happened.
“I think they would let me know before, but what would be going through my mind is ‘Who am I playing for next?” Fields said. “With all that going on, I just try to control the controllables and focus on me.”
Last season, Fields played in 15 games for the Bears, accumulating 2,242 passing yards, 1,143 rushing yards and 25 total touchdowns. He also received one fifth-place MVP vote during the NFL Honors awards Thursday night.
However, the Bears must weigh Fields to prospects like Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud. After the season ended, general manager Ryan Poles explained how the team will handle the quarterback decision.
“We’re gonna do the same thing as we’ve always done,” he said. “We’re gonna evaluate the draft class, and I would say this: I’d have to be absolutely blown away to make that type of decision.”
