LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- Many players and coaches in the NFL shy away from making comparisons between different individuals, but most aren't quite as honest as Bears tight end Jimmy Graham.
Now entering his 12th NFL season, Graham is a veteran comfortable speaking his mind. That proved to be the case Thursday, when he spoke openly about his frustration with the NFLPA over its proposed enhancement of COVID-19 protocols. That candor also came to light when Graham was asked about Bears rookie quarterback Justin Fields.
Graham sees similarities in Fields and a superstar quarterback whom he previously played with.
"Man, I love the kid," Graham said. "He sits besides me in the locker room. Man, he wants to be good. He wants to be great. He puts in the work. The guy really can throw the ball. That's been impressive, to see his arm strength. At some point, I got to get him matched up for the guy up there in Seattle. Especially the ability to make plays while you're running. It's been impressive to see him so young (and) so focused. I could tell it definitely reminds me a lot of Russell Wilson."
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A seven-time Pro Bowl quarterback, Wilson played three seasons alongside Graham, from 2015-'17.
The Bears selected Fields with the No. 11 overall pick in the NFL Draft in late April after spending the previous months seeking a long-term solution at quarterback. As part of that quest, Bears general manager Ryan Pace explored a blockbuster trade with the Seahawks to acquire Wilson, who remains in Seattle.
"Is he saying he's Russell Wilson? No," Bears coach Matt Nagy said of Graham's comments. "But he's saying he has some qualities and possibilities to be like him. He has some traits that remind him of that. We love hearing that. There's nothing wrong with that. But Justin is going to be Justin Fields. He's going to have his own way of what he wants to do.
"We understand how to temper that but we also appreciate it because Russell is a heck of a quarterback, and he's had a lot of success and he's a winner."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.