Consistency remains key to Bears’ evaluation of Justin Fields

Justin Fields is a remarkable playmaking quarterback. There’s no doubt about that. But if the Chicago Bears want to take that difficult step from a .500 team to a playoff contender, he (or any quarterback for that matter) must prioritize consistency over the dazzling big play.

It’s a big part of Fields’ game that’s been lacking during his three years with the Bears. A wow throw or incredible escape from a collapsing pocket is often neutralized by a turnover-worthy play or holding onto the ball too long. And it’s that lack of consistent quality quarterback play that has the Chicago Bears in the middle of the biggest offseason question in the NFL: Should GM Ryan Poles stick with Fields or use the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on a prospect like Caleb Williams or Drake Maye?

With one game left in the 2023 season, Justin Fields still has a chance to deliver a statement performance against the Green Bay Packers and slam the door on any quarterback drama.

The All-22 angle of Justin Fields avoiding the sack is somehow even more impressive. pic.twitter.com/8MpoDnCzYs

— Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL) January 3, 2024

Coach Matt Eberflus said Monday that Fields has to prove his dynamic performance against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 17 can become just another day at the office for him.

“I would say the consistency piece,” Eberflus told reporters Monday. “Just continue to do it. Stack another game just like that, where you have that running and the passing, the accuracy, the touchdowns, the no turnovers. And just consistency at that, is really what it is. Let’s stack two like that. And that would be a good start.”

Is it too late for a good start, though? It certainly feels like the Bears’ 7-5 record over their last 12 games, including five wins in a row at Soldier Field, has saved Eberflus’ job, but does Justin Fields have enough time (just one game) to keep his gig in Chicago?

Fields has started 12 games this season and is completing a career-best 61% of his passes for 2,414 yards (also a career high), 16 TDs, and 9 INTs. He’s added 640 yards and four touchdowns as a runner.

“We’re just gonna look at his performances right now, and we’ll talk about all those big-picture questions after the season, with Ryan and myself and we’ll see where it goes from there,” Eberflus said. “But we love where his progress is. He’s been more consistent. We like what he’s done the last six games in terms of the turnovers, the sacks, touchdowns, taking care of the football. Throwing the ball down the field. Those are all positive things, and again, we’ll assess that as we get going here in the near future.”

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