LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- Netflix’s “Quarterback” series has been considered a hit, celebrated for its in-depth look at the lives and work of the NFL’s top quarterbacks. Bears quarterback Justin Fields watched the series on Netflix but he has no interest in being part of this next season.
Fields declined an invitation from Netflix to be part of “Quarterback” Season 2, he said on Tuesday after reporting to training camp at Halas Hall. He instead hopes to keep this pivotal third year in his career free of distractions.
“I watched it,” Fields said. “It was kind of cool seeing everybody’s different backgrounds, kind of see how they prepare. It was just cool seeing their personal lives and how they balance life and football. They actually did reach out and I don’t think I want to do it, just because I’d rather keep everything the way it is around here. Having cameras around the building, I think that might chance the vibe of everyone. I just want to keep it natural, organic, and just really focus on what’s going on in the building.
"Maybe down the road, but I don’t see myself in it this year at least.”
The first season of “Quarterback” focused on the 2022 campaigns for quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs), Kirk Cousins (Vikings) and Marcus Mariota (Falcons).
Fields was part of the Netflix series “QB1: Beyond The Lights” as a senior at Harrison High School in Georgia, a documentary that showcased his rise as a premier college prospect.
The 24-year-old Fields has completed 59.7% of his passes for 4,112 yards and 24 touchdowns over 27 career games. Last season, Fields started 15 games, completing 60.4% of his passes for 2,242 yards, 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, while rushing for 1,143 yards and eight touchdowns.
It’s not yet clear which quarterbacks will be part of the next “Quarterback” series on Netflix. While Fields has elected not to participate in the series, he appreciates the perspective that it offers for fans.
“I think a lot of people realized how much works goes into being a quarterback, especially on the mental side of things,” Fields said. “So, just how much we have to prepare and kind of know everybody’s job. That’s one thing everybody realized. It really just gave everybody our perspective of what we go through, our everyday lives and how we go through things.”
The Bears were one of four teams that was eligible to be featured in HBO's "Hard Knocks" series, though the team has maintained no interest in that opportunity over the years. The Jets will be the featured team during training camp in this year's "Hard Knocks" series.
However, Fields said he made his own decision on declining the "Quarterback" series.
"I really believe that this is a family setup where we have a lot of things going on in our building that you want to keep private," Bears general manager Ryan Poles said. "There are conversations. I mean, if we all threw a couple cameras in our house, in our bathrooms, kind of weird, right? But I also understand the access part of it and the fan part of that's cool to see. So, I'm kind of split on it, to be honest."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
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