The Chicago Bears have been patiently and hopefully waiting for quarterback Justin Fields to make his return to the field from a nasty thumb injury. It has been three weeks since he went down with the injury and there has been a lot of speculation about how long he could be out. Some have even speculated that he could miss the remainder of the season due to the injury.
Thankfully, it does not sound like he will miss the rest of the season. Nor does it sound like he’ll have to undergo a surgery on the thumb that would keep him out another four-to-six weeks like others have thought could be possible. He’s getting closer to a return to the field.
Following the Bears’ Week 9 loss to the New Orleans Saints, head coach Matt Eberflus spoke out about Fields. He seemed to have some optimism about the status of his starting quarterback.
“He’s day-to-day. We’ll find out more [on Monday], and we’ll see where it is. He’s started throwing, which is a positive, and we’ll see where it is in terms of his functionality.”
Getting back on the field is a must for Fields. Not just is he trying to get back and help his team, he could be playing for his job. Many believe that the Bears could be eyeing Caleb Williams with their current draft positioning if things don’t improve.
What Does The Future Hold For Justin Fields With The Bears?
Just a few short months ago, Justin Fields was the talk of Chicago. He was viewed as a budding superstar and everyone thought that the Bears would be a playoff team without question. Those views have changed drastically.
So far this season, Fields has played in six games. One of those appearances was cut very short due to the injury.
In the six games he has played, Fields has completed 61.7 percent of his pass attempts for 1,201 yards, 11 touchdowns, and six interceptions. His rushing numbers are way down this season as well, racking up just 237 yards and a touchdown on 47 attempts.
At just 24 years of age, there is plenty of time for Justin Fields to get things back on track. He showed flashes of being the superstar that everyone had already anointed him as before the injury. Against the Washington Commanders in Week 5, Fields went 15-for-29 for 282 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions.
Granted, even in his biggest games, the efficiency has sometimes been an issue. However, those are things that can be improved on with more reps and consistent hard work.
What does the future hold for Fields? Quite simply, no one knows. The Bears may seriously be considering moving Fields in a trade and drafting Williams if they get the chance, or they could load up on talent around him, potentially in the form of Ohio State standout wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
The Bears’ front office will have a ton of tough decisions ahead. Fields will be the most difficult decision if they’re in a position to draft one of the elite quarterbacks in the 2024 draft class.
Expect to continue hearing a lot of speculation about Justin Fields in the coming weeks. Hopefully, he’ll be able to get back on the field and will find success to help put some of the rumblings to sleep. If not, Chicago could be headed right towards yet another quarterback change.