USA Today
The Big Bears Decision for 2024
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It's less than a year now until Justin Fields' fifth-year option comes due and while it doesn't seem like a difficult decision to anyone closely observing the progress of the Bears quarterback, some could still be skeptical.
NBC analyst Chris Simms is among them, saying Fields' play is "...a collection of great plays with no consistency," after saying he's a "defender of Justin Fields..."
Sports Illustrated's Matt Verderame is going straight to the prediction. In an article calling all the big decisions coming next spring on the 2021 draft class, Verderame has a thumbs up for Fields.
WHO SHOULD GET THEIR FIFTH-YEAR OPTIONS PICKED UP IN 2024?
"There's a world where Fields flops this year, and then the Bears have a tough call on their hands," Verderame wrote. "However, considering all the progress Fields made in his second season, the more likely scenario is that general manager Ryan Poles has an easy decision in front of him. As a second-year quarterback, Fields accounted for 3,385 yards and 25 touchdowns, finishing ninth in MVP balloting."
The total yardage Verderame cited is Fields' rushing and passing total. He had 2,242 yards passing and 1,143 yards rushing.
However, Fields had a passer rating of 92.2 with 15 touchdown passes to seven interceptions in the final 11 games last year, as he built up some of the consistency Simms said he didn't see. Fields completed 62.95% with 7.06 yards per attempt during those final 11 games, and this includes one of his poorest efforts of the season when his pass blocking broke down at Detroit (7 of 21, 75 yards, one TD, 1 interception).
The ideal scenario will be for Fields' passing yards and touchdown passes thrown to pick up drastically while the rushing yards drops. It should all happen with a receiver of DJ Moore's ability at Fields' disposal.
According to Overthecap.com, this year was the first time more options were declined (14) than were officially exercised (12). If you count Jordan Love's as picking up the option it's 13, but his was more of a reworked contract because he had to sit around so long watching Aaron Rodgers than it was picking up his option.
Verderame isn't as positive about the rest of Fields' first-round quarterback draft class getting their options picked up.
Fields himself would tell you he's interested in wins and not contracts, but it's worth looking at to see who else Verderame sees getting options picked up from among the full draft class.
Twitter: BearDigest@BearsOnMaven
