We reached the end of our series profiling the 20 most important Chicago Bears players. To no one’s surprise, at number one we have quarterback Justin Fields.
In less than a week, the Chicago Bears begin training camp. All the talk ends and we finally get to see how the team shapes up. While we waited we gave you a list of the 20 most important players who can make the 2023 season a success.
We are at the end of that list, number one. You can see the previous 19 players here. The most important player for the Bears in 2023 is, of course, Justin Fields.
When the Bears drafted Fields in 2021, they felt they finally found the franchise quarterback they lacked in their 100+ years in existence. Fields would be the one to help the Chicago Bears return to glory.
Two years later, the Bears have a new man in charge, Ryan Poles. He brought in a new coach, Matt Eberflus. With the change in management, would Fields still be the man?
Well, Poles answered that question this offseason. With Fields not having the success throwing the ball yet, there was speculation that the Bears could keep the number one pick and instead trade Fields.
The Bears would then pick up a quarterback. That would restart the rookie contract clock. With the enormous rebuild that Poles faced, having a new quarterback develop with the new faces could be something to think about.
Furthermore, Poles was not attached to Fields. He did not draft him so he could move on from him. He could then draft a quarterback he was more comfortable with. What started out as whispers grew louder soon after the 2022 season ended.
Poles goes all-in with Fields
Instead, Poles went all in on Fields. He also saw the talent that the young quarterback possessed. He decided to trade the top pick and build the offense around him.
Fields had a great season with his legs last year. He had 1,143 rushing yards, the second-most in a season by a quarterback. Yes, that was great, but a quarterback gets paid big bucks to throw the ball. Fields has not had the same success with his arm yet.
One of the reasons for that was the lack of talent on the offense. The offensive line was in shambles as was the wide receiver corps. The only receiver of note on the team was Darnell Mooney, but his season was cut short due to injury.
This offseason Poles made sure to add the talent Fields lacked. He received a bundle of draft picks for the top pick. In addition, he played hardball and insisted on having D.J. Moore, one of the top wide receivers in the NFL.
Having Moore involved in the offense gives Fields an incredible target. Moore settles the receiving corps. He is the clear number one and is a player Fields can feel comfortable making any throw.
Poles also overhauled the running game. David Montgomery departed for the Detroit Lions. To help fill the void, Poles signed free agents D’Onta Foreman and Travis Homer. He also drafted Roschon Johnson. Johnson could be the future starting running back.
-
Ep 134: NFL Week 2 Studs And Duds
by Full Press Coverage on September 20, 2023 at 7:07 pm
The offensive line was also strengthened. Poles signed right guard Nate Davis. That necessitated two moves — Teven Jenkins moved from right guard to left guard and left guard Cody Whitehair moved to center.
Poles also spent his first-round pick on right tackle Darnell Wright. Wright is a big, athletic player who has the strength to handle bull rushes. He also has the quickness to keep speed rushers in front of him.
In addition to Moore, Poles drafted speedy receiver Tyler Scott. Having speed was a priority for Poles. The Bears now have a ton of speed on their receiving unit.
Now the important job falls on Fields. He is leading this new-look offense. He now has an offensive line that can properly block for him. Additionally, he has not only a solid wide receiver unit but also two solid tight ends in Cole Kmet and another free agent signee, Robert Tonyan.
There are a ton of options in the offense. Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy had to cut out most of his offense because of the lack of talent. He had to resort to having Fields run 160 times. While he had a historic season running the ball, he took a lot of hits. The Bears want to keep him healthy so they want to be more picky with his runs in 2023.
While Fields’ overall numbers weren’t much to talk about, his season was a tale of two halves. As the 2022 season progressed, Fields became a better thrower.
In his first seven games of 2022, this was Fields’ line: 55.9 percent completion, 1,048 yards, 5 touchdowns, 6 interceptions. His quarterback rating was 74.6 and suffered 27 sacks.
In his last eight games, though, things were different. He completed 63.7 percent of his passes for 1,194 yards, and 12 touchdowns to 5 interceptions. He posted a 93.1 passer rating and suffered 28 sacks.
As you can see, Fields threw the ball much better in the second half than he did in the first half, despite being surrounded by Walmart employees.
Even with the lack of talent, Fields flashed some brilliance. He made some great passes deep downfield. He ranked in the top ten on deep-thrown balls.
It will be interesting to see how Fields performs with his new teammates. If he is able to finally show consistency in his throws this will be a fun season.
We could be seeing the beginning of a new era of winning Chicago Bears football. If he doesn’t, we’ll have another disappointing season. The options rest on Fields.
-
Ep 170: The 1986 Giants With Gary Myersby Full Press Coverage on September 15, 2023 at 9:44 pm
HOF voter and author Gary Myers joins Clark and Ira to discuss his new […]
-
Ep 169: Discussing Art Powell and the AFL With Historian Todd Tobiasby Full Press Coverage on September 3, 2023 at 3:04 pm
AFL historian Todd Tobias joins Clark and Ira to talk Art Powell and the […]
-
Ep 168: Hall of Fame Finalist Randy Gradishar Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 24, 2023 at 8:44 pm
Former Broncos linebacker and member of the Orange Crush Defense, Randy […]
-
Ep 167: Discussing Buddy Parker With Hall of Fame Voter Paul Kuharskyby Full Press Coverage on August 19, 2023 at 1:23 am
Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Paul Kuharsky joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
A Film Room look at the week 4 College Football Matchupsby LandryFootball.com on September 22, 2023 at 1:25 pm
Six nationally-ranked matchups and several others in the spotlight pitting […]
-
Biggest Surprises in NFL through Week 2by LandryFootball.com on September 21, 2023 at 11:00 pm
Two weeks into the NFL season is too small of a sample size to make […]
-
Ep 306: Week 2 Fantasy Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on September 14, 2023 at 3:06 am
-
Ep 305: TE Target Totals from Week 1by Full Press Coverage on September 12, 2023 at 2:28 am
-
Ep 304: The NFL Season Is Hereby Full Press Coverage on September 7, 2023 at 3:13 am
-
Ep 303: Ambiguous Situations in Fantasy Footballby Full Press Coverage on August 29, 2023 at 2:47 pm
-
Ep 183: Week 3 Preview vs Saintsby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:11 am
In this episode, Kyle Senra is joined by Courtney Burrows (luvtractor3) […]
-
Ep 182: Week 2 Instant Reactionsby Full Press Coverage on September 18, 2023 at 1:52 am
The Green Bay Packers lost a close 25-24 game at the hands of the Atlanta […]
-
ROP Special Commentary: The Case For Karlby Charlie Saunier on September 22, 2023 at 5:01 am
Renegades Of Puck Special Commentary: The Case For Karl Learn more about […]
-
Full Press Kraken - 9-21 - Training camp, Prospects, Preseasonby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Previewing training camp, looking at prospects. Learn more about your ad […]
-
Full Press Blackhawks - 9-21 - Kyle Davidson’s Presser Takeawaysby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Reacting to what Blackhawks general manager, Kyle Davidson said to media, […]
-
Full Press Hurricanes - 9-20 - The Southeast Florida Prospect Showcase & the Hurricanes Training Campby Full Press Coverage on September 20, 2023 at 3:00 pm
The Hurricanes have won all 3 games at their prospect showcase this past […]
-
ROP Special Commentary: A Catfish Too Farby Charlie Saunier on September 20, 2023 at 5:01 am
Renegades Of Puck Special Commentary: A Catfish Too Far Learn more about […]
-
Full Press Blackhawks - 9-19 - Connor Bedard is HIM!!!by Full Press Coverage on September 19, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Breaking down Connor Bedard and the Blackhawks games at the Tom Kurvers […]
-
9/21 - Thursday Night Football Preview; NFL MVP Talkby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:15 pm
Ian and John preview Thursday Night Football between the Giants and 49ers […]
-
9/19 - Monday Night Recap, State of Quarterback Play, 2-0 Teamsby Full Press Coverage on September 19, 2023 at 2:08 pm
Ian and John discuss MNF and talk about the state of quarterback play. […]
-
9/18 - Week 2 Headlines; Monday Night Football Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on September 18, 2023 at 2:05 pm
Ian and John discuss some of the headlines from Sunday's action, some […]
-
9/15 - Eagles Survive Vikings; Week 2 Picks and Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on September 15, 2023 at 2:09 pm
Ian and John discuss the Eagles win over the Vikings and preview Week 2. […]
-
9/14 - Aaron Rodgers And The AFC East, Vikings at Eagles Previewby Full Press Coverage on September 14, 2023 at 2:05 pm
Ian and John further discuss the Aaron Rodgers injury and the impact on […]
-
9/12 - Jets Stun Bills; Aaron Rodgers Injuredby Full Press Coverage on September 12, 2023 at 2:03 pm
Ian and John discuss the (likely) season-ending injury to Aaron Rodgers […]
-
Ep 2: Top 5 Super Bowls Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:26 pm
Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti give their Top 5 Super Bowls of all time. […]
-
Ep 1: The Top 10 Quarterbacks Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 8:42 pm
On the first episode of 'According To Who?', host Ian Glendon and John […]
-
CFB Daily: SEC, Pac-12, Week 4 Gamesby Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 3:16 am
-
Episode 113: What in the Halas Hell?by Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 3:16 am
-
Cowboys at Cardinals - Bears at Chiefsby Broken Controller Media on September 21, 2023 at 4:00 pm
-
Patriots at Jets - Bills at Commanders - Panthers at Seahawksby Broken Controller Media on September 21, 2023 at 3:00 pm
-
9/21 - Thursday Night Football Preview; NFL MVP Talkby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:15 pm
-
Philadelphia 76ers Previewby Broken Controller Media on September 21, 2023 at 2:00 pm
-
Ep. 278: Clayton State University Head Men's Basketball Coach Vince Alexanderby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 5:00 am
-
Ep 183: Week 3 Preview vs Saintsby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:11 am
-
Ep 134: NFL Week 2 Studs And Dudsby Full Press Coverage on September 20, 2023 at 7:07 pm
-
Boot 2 The Face "She Was Portly"by Boot 2 The Face on September 14, 2023 at 11:57 pm
In the latest episode we talk Jey Uso and his move to Monday Night Raw. We […]
-
Boot 2 The Face "NFL Picks"by Boot 2 The Face on September 7, 2023 at 1:59 am
Boys are back talking CM Punk firing, AEW All Out, WWE Payback and picking […]
-
Wrestling World is Changing: From CM Punk To Vince McMahon to LA Knightby Full Press Coverage on September 14, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Justin Starr as they break the […]
-
Back To Back Events Just Too Much... Let's Enjoy All Inby Full Press Coverage on September 2, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Andy McNamara as they discuss […]
-
Ep 182: Michelle McCoolby Full Press Coverage on September 15, 2023 at 2:00 pm
This week we're looking at the career of Michelle McCool. A teacher by […]