LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- Bears quarterback Justin Fields stepped to the line of scrimmage Tuesday at a new pivotal point of his young career. He stood behind a new center and glanced out toward a fresh set of targets. They were all looking back at him.
The 23-year-old Fields is established as Chicago’s starting quarterback and has been touted as a leader for a team in transition.
“It’s definitely a different mindset than last year,” Fields said prior to practice Tuesday. “I’m ready for the role. I’m ready to lead this offense and lead this team.”
The Bears are wondering where Fields will take them. On Tuesday, new coach Matt Eberflus led the team through its first on-field practice as part of a three-day voluntary minicamp. The changes were evident. There was no familiar No. 52 of star pass rusher Khalil Mack or No. 96 of defensive lineman Akiem Hicks or No. 12 of receiver Allen Robinson.
This is now Fields’ team for the taking as first-year general manager Ryan Poles aims to rebuild the Bears with sustained success as the goal. Whether Fields can take the next steps and blossom into a franchise quarterback are the most important factors in the 2022 season.
The Bears selected Fields with the No. 11 overall pick in 2021 after then-general manager Ryan Pace made the bold move to trade up. Does Poles hold the same conviction in Fields?
“There’s a high ceiling with him,” Poles said in March. “It’s just putting him in position to succeed and seeing how high that ceiling is.”
Fields completed 58.9% of his passes for 1,870 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions as a rookie in 2021. He opened the season in an awkward spot. Fields was the backup behind veteran Andy Dalton after receiving few reps with the starters in training camp, then was named the starting quarterback ahead of the third game of the season after Dalton suffered a knee injury. Fields then dealt with his own injuries and inconsistencies in his first NFL season.
So far this offseason, the Bears haven't added the type of dynamic weapons that suggest Poles sees Fields as one piece away from reaching stardom. But given how broken Chicago’s offense was under the watch of former coach Matt Nagy, the Bears can improve by simply implementing a system that's more functional and better-suited to Fields' strengths.
New Bears center Lucas Patrick should help bring stability to the offensive line, something it sorely lacked in 2021. New receivers Byron Pringle and Equanimeous St. Brown should offer complementary play to incumbent top target Darnell Mooney. They aren’t high-profile additions who will sell jerseys in Chicago, but Poles believes they can help Fields grow in his second season.
"Justin Fields, I see him being an elite quarterback,” Pringle said. “He keeps his legs alive. He knows how to extend plays.
“I know I fit perfectly in this offense, especially with a quarterback like Justin Fields."
When the Bears introduced Poles and Eberflus in late January, Fields was present at Halas Hall. It seemed to be a symbolic gesture by both Fields and the organization on a day that marked a big transition.
Fields has spent the offseason maintaining a dialogue with new Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, who's working to build a scheme around the strengths of his quarterback. Fields invited Mooney and third-year tight end Cole Kmet to train with him in Georgia. He has also stayed in contact with Poles as they work to build a mutual trust.
In each meeting of the offseason program, Fields has sat in the front row. He has worked closely with Getsy on installing a new-look offense and spent plenty of time with his head in the playbook. Fields is also leaning on the challenges of his rookie season as the foundation for fostering improvement.
“A lot of ups and downs, but I definitely learned a lot,” Fields said. “I’m thankful for all the experiences and stuff we had to go through. The stuff last year is just going to make me better. Of course, I’m excited for Year 2.”
Fields' second season should reveal whether he's on a track to becoming a star or a first-round disappointment, the quarterback Chicago has long coveted or just another swing and a miss. That’s what Poles will be assessing from his place in the front office. He currently has the franchise in a patient rebuilding mode. How soon Poles will commit to truly contending for a Super Bowl championship ultimately relies on the quarterback position.
Poles has pointed to the high ceiling he sees for Fields, but there’s no certainty in that. He has been careful with his comments about Fields since being hired to lead the Bears forward. What follows this season should be abundantly clear.
The Bears are a team building for a brighter future. And they’re all looking toward Fields with hopes of where he could lead them.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.