Has Justin Fields played his final game with the Chicago Bears?

Saying goodbye is never easy, even if it involves a quarterback like Justin Fields, who’s played only three seasons and never passed for more than 3,000 yards in any of them for the Chicago Bears.

Fields didn’t win many games as the Bears starter, either. In fact, he only won 10 out of 37 starts since 2021.

But “quarterback wins” isn’t a stat that should factor into Fields’ evaluation. He was forced to play through a 2022 roster teardown, resulting in the Bears earning the first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Fields’ win-loss record is more a reflection of the supporting cast the Bears put around him. It was especially bad in 2022, but the first pick in the 2023 draft was a silver lining. It set up what was supposed to be a breakthrough season for Justin Fields and the upgraded Bears roster.

For the most part, 2023 was an improvement. The Bears won seven games, more than twice as many as 2022. The defense re-emerged as one of the best in the NFL under coach Matt Eberflus’ watch (and after the acquisition of Montez Sweat.). But the offense, starting with offensive coordinator Luke Getsy and extending to Fields, wasn’t good enough.

The Chicago Bears’ trade with the Carolina Panthers last offseason (you remember the one, the Bears traded the first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Panthers for this year’s first-rounder, wide receiver DJ Moore, and a cluster of second-round picks) has GM Ryan Poles with a rare opportunity to revamp the offense with one selection. Carolina ended the year with the worst record in the NFL, the Bears are on the clock with the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Caleb Williams has entered the chat.

In an alternate reality, one in which Fields threw for more than just the 148 yards he totaled against the Packers in Sunday’s finale, one in which Fields put a dagger through Green Bay’s playoff hopes, one in which Fields stacked another good game on top of what many considered the best game of his career in Week 17 against the Falcons, we may not be having this conversation. Fields would be a hero, he’d be the man.

Instead, Fields exited Lambeau Field sounding like a quarterback saying goodbye to Bears fans … for good.

“To the city of Chicago, love ya’ll … Appreciate the fans and the support from all the Bears, you know, and in case this is my last rodeo with ya’ll, appreciate ya’ll for everything,” he said.

Justin Fields knows what’s up. He knows the position the Chicago Bears are in. And he knows who Caleb Williams is. Don’t get me wrong, Fields isn’t a defeated guy. Instead, he’s a smart guy. He knows the business side of football as much as the Xs and Os. His performance on the field hasn’t been as consistent as it needs to be, and guys with a resume like his tend to be replaced, especially if there’s a chance to add a special quarterback in the first round.

Say what you want, argue if you must, but yes, Caleb Williams is special.

“That decision is not in my hands,” Fields said of whether he’ll be a Bear in 2024. “All I can control is what I did do. I gave it my all. Whether it’s here or not, I have no regrets.”

There will be plenty of Bears fans who think it’s ridiculous that one game, one loss against the Packers, is what will ultimately decide Fields” fate. And while Week 18’s subpar effort will certainly be a variable in Ryan Poles’ decision, it’s merely that … a variable. Among many variables. Including 25 of 38 starts with fewer than 200 passing yards.

Sunday’s loss was as much an indictment against Luke Getsy as it was Fields, and the offensive line played one of the worst games it has all season. But, at some point, Fields had to rise above the challenges and prove to Poles and the Bears that he’s the kind of franchise quarterback who can lead Chicago to a signature win. That hasn’t happened in three years, and three years is an eternity in the NFL.

Sadly, Justin Fields has fallen victim to circumstance. He was drafted by a lame-duck coaching staff and front office. His second year was tarnished by a complete rebuild. His third season has been hamstrung by one of the worst offensive play-callers in the NFL. And now, the Bears are on the clock with Caleb Williams in the palm of their proverbial hand.

Through it all, Fields has provided some dazzling highlights. He nearly broke Lamar Jackson’s single-season rushing record for a quarterback in 2022, and in 2023, he flashed improved passer’s traits with several memorable dimes to DJ Moore. But his resume lacks an obvious answer to whether he’s worth the kind of commitment from the Bears that will eventually include a contract that pays him nearly $50 million per season.

It feels like Justin Fields said goodbye to the Chicago Bears in Week 18. And it sucks.

But this feeling, like all the previous quarterback disappointments that have infected the Bears fanbase in years gone by, will pass. And on draft weekend, excitement will be renewed with the hope that comes along with QB-next.

Last year, Poles said he’d need to be blown away by a quarterback in the 2023 class to move on from Fields. He obviously wasn’t, it was clearly a mistake (See: Stroud, CJ). Poles will learn from that error, and he won’t repeat it.

What do you think, Chicago Bears fans? Has Justin Fields played his final game as a Bear? Make your voice heard in the comments below. And if you want an ad-free experience on Bears Talk, consider upgrading to a premium account. Bear Down!