LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — While Bears quarterback Justin Fields has worked this season to prove and earn his place in the organization's future, general manager Ryan Poles and his scouting brass have done their due diligence on the alternatives.
Poles and the Bears have been bracing for the possibility that they'll own the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft for a second straight year, which would again give them the opportunity to select a prized quarterback prospect. The Bears have scouted USC quarterback Caleb Williams, North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye and others as they build their draft evaluations that will serve as part of the foundation of their biggest offseason decision.
The other part of that foundation is the 24-year-old Fields, who has showcased growth in his third NFL season. At the least, he's making the Bears' decision on their future at quarterback a more difficult choice.
Fields understands the circumstances, having already endured this process last offseason, when the Bears elected to retain Fields and trade the No. 1 overall pick. They struck a deal with the Panthers, landing a haul of star receiver DJ Moore and significant draft capital, which included Carolina’s first-round pick in 2024, one that's currently in line to be No. 1 overall.
Once again, Fields knows he’s facing an uncertain future.
“Personally, I’m just focused on what I can control," Fields said. "The rest is in God’s hands. Really, you just put everything in God’s hands, you know it’s going to turn out good for you. If I'm here next year, if I’m not, football doesn’t define who I am as a person. My happiness will still be in the same place.
“I’m very blessed in the position I am in. A million people would love to be in the position I’m in right now. Really, not taking that for granted. Just taking each and every moment I have every day up here to the fullest.”
Fields has completed 64.4% of his passes for 1,587 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions in eight starts this season. He has made pivotal strides as a passer that have inspired confidence internally at Halas Hall, but the Bears' looming quarterback decision will be influenced by their evaluations of Williams and Maye and a determination on whether they're better off selecting a prospect.
Five games remain in the regular season, and each one represents an opportunity for Fields to define his future with the Bears.
“I’m really just trying to be consistent,” Fields said. “I think that’s the biggest thing. You can play good one game, bad the other. Really, I’m just trying to be consistent, trying to be better than I was yesterday, trying to continue to improve and get better as a player and a person, get better each and every day.”
Fields’ three seasons with the Bears have been marked by inconsistent play and instability surrounding his position. As a rookie in 2021 after the Bears selected him at No. 11 overall, Fields worked under the guidance of then-head coach Matt Nagy and a lame-duck staff that was nearing its dismissal. He then started anew in 2022 with head coach Matt Eberflus and a different offensive system.
The Bears’ roster moves as they began a rebuild under Poles and Eberflus left Fields without much talent on offense last season, which often led him to scramble with the football. Fields was constantly looking to lift a struggling team that went an NFL-worst 3-14.
This year, the Bears (4-8) have dealt with growing pains on the field and internal distractions as they've struggled to showcase meaningful progress toward sustained success. Amid all that, Fields has often been at the center of speculation as the Bears’ woes have created questions about the possibility of change.
Fields understands that he could soon find a new beginning with the Bears, or the end could potentially be nearing. Until that decision is made, he'll be the subject of great scrutiny.
“I mean, I've had moments in my life where I’ve wanted things to happen, it didn’t go that way and it ended up going another way and it worked out better than I ever could’ve imagined," Fields said. "That’s really why I don’t stress about stuff that happens. Just controlling what I can control and being the best person I can be, striving to be the best player.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.