Bears 2022 Training Camp Preview: Quarterback

The Chicago Bears will begin their 2022 training camp in unfamiliar territory. It’s been a long time since the starting quarterback was as obvious as it is this season. Even when former first-round pick Mitch Trubisky was in town, the presence of veterans ranging from Mike Glennon to Nick Foles made his standing as QB1 unsettled, at best.

That isn’t the case with Justin Fields, however. There’s no quarterback competition or controversy in Chicago. Instead, it’s Fields’ gig, and there’s confidence that he’ll finally end the quarterback curse that’s plagued Bears football since its inception.

Here’s a look at the quarterback depth chart as 2022 Bears Training Camp approaches.

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Starter: Justin Fields

Fields joined the Chicago Bears as the 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He started 10 games as a rookie and totaled 1,870 passing yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He added 420 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

Despite beginning his rookie season as a backup, it didn’t take long for Fields to prove he was the most talented player on Chicago’s roster. He was limited by former coach Matt Nagy and a porous offensive line but new coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Luke Getsy should give Fields a boost in Year 2. The offensive line remains a big concern, however.

Fields’ development is critical to any short- and long-term success for the Chicago Bears. It’ll be a primary goal for the 2022 season, too. Even if the Bears have a disappointing end-of-year record, 2022 will be a success if Fields proves he’s the franchise passer Chicago’s been lacking for years.

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Backup: Trevor Siemian

The Bears signed Siemian to a two-year, $4 million contract to serve as Justin Fields’ backup for at least the 2022 season. The Northwestern product has 29 starts on his resume since entering the league as a seventh-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. The former New Orleans Saints, Denver Broncos, and New York Jets quarterback has thrown for 6,843 yards, 41 touchdowns and 27 interceptions in his career.

Siemian is a lock to make the Bears’ final roster and will provide Fields with an experienced veteran to lean on in the quarterback room. He’s flashed upside as a starter during stretches in his career, but at 30 years old and with only five starts since 2019, he’s settled in as a quality backup for the foreseeable future.

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Third string: Nathan Peterman

Peterman, the former darling of Draft Twitter in 2017, signed a one-year contract with the Bears in March to compete for the backup job. It’s unlikely he’ll unseat Siemian, making his roster spot very much up for grabs. If the Chicago Bears decide to keep three quarterbacks on the final roster, then it’s Peterman’s spot to lose. Chicago doesn’t have a fourth quarterback on the depth chart right now.

Peterman spent time with the Buffalo Bills and Las Vegas Raiders before joining the Bears and has four starts on his resume. He’s been pretty awful during his limited exposure. Peterman’s thrown just three touchdowns to 12 interceptions in 135 career pass attempts.

Every NFL team needs offseason and training camp arms. It feels like Peterman is that guy right now.