Dan Campbell Happy Bears Traded Justin Fields

Lions won't miss matching up against Fields twice a season.

If there’s one NFC North team that should be celebrating the fact that Justin Fields is now out of the division, it’s certainly the Detroit Lions. 

Fields, the No. 11 overall pick of the Chicago Bears in the 2021 NFL Draft, was advertised as the Bears’ next franchise passer coming out of Ohio State. 

He never quite lived up to the bill in the Windy City, but he did serve as the unofficial “kryptonite” to the Lions’ defense. 

In his time as Chicago’s signal-caller, Fields, a dual-threat passer, consistently terrorized Detroit defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn’s unit – and specifically via his legs. 

Fields, in three seasons with the Bears, ended up accumulating three of his best games as a runner against the Lions. In fact, three of his five total 100-yard rushing days came against Glenn & Co., including a 147-yard rushing day in Week 10 of the 2022 season and a 132-yard day on the ground in Week 17 of the same campaign. 

To no surprise, Detroit head coach Dan Campbell isn’t going to miss playing twice a season against Fields, who was traded earlier this offseason to the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

“Offensively, man, they’ve (the Bears) got weapons, they've got an offensive line. And, we’ll see what they do at quarterback, but I’m not gonna lie, it’s nice to have Fields out of that division," Campbell told reporters at the NFL’s annual league meetings Tuesday.

The Lions have received a lot of kudos this offseason, from fans and pundits alike, for adding multiple impact players, including defensive lineman D.J. Reader and offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler. 

And while the Lions have beefed up their roster, so has the rest of the NFC North, especially the Bears and the Packers. 

Chicago has added the likes of running back D’Andre Swift, wide receiver Keenan Allen and safety Kevin Byard. Meanwhile, Green Bay – a playoff team in 2023 like Detroit – has acquired the likes of running back Josh Jacobs and safety Xavier McKinney. 

Campbell has certainly taken notice of the Bears’ and the Packers’ strong offseasons and acknowledged Tuesday that the two organizations will give the Lions a run for their money in 2024. 

“I pay attention to the division, especially this time of year,” Campbell said. “And look, I know this, the Bears, I told everybody going into last year, I’m like, the Bears are going to be an issue. They’re a good team. 

“And also, look, I see what Green Bay is doing. So, I think this division is about to get significantly better than what it’s been. And, I would argue, it was better last year than people realized. Really, they were one play away from Green Bay and us playing in the NFC Championship Game. So, I think this division is about to become very difficult. And, that’s good, man. That’s how you want it.”