With the Bears currently sitting at 6-9, it’s difficult for everyone in town not to connect the dots with Fields’ future and the Bears last two games. 

Since the Bears drafted Fields out of Ohio State in the 1st round of the draft, everyone in town has had a hard time making heads or tails of his abilities and whether he would ever meet our city’s lofty expectations.

Whether it’s because of my waning interest in the NFL and lack of passion for the Bears, but I haven’t had strong feelings one way or the other about Fields. However, because of how he has handled himself, I can’t help but root for the guy. In what seems like a lifetime ago, he entertained everyone with his tremendous running. We all know that he is more physically gifted than most Bears quarterbacks, but nobody has been able to figure out how to unlock his (potential) greatness.

In most NFL cities, the most popular player is often the backup quarterback. For the time being that’s not the case in Chicago. The biggest question is Fields future with the team, and whether they should take a quarterback with the #1 pick in the upcoming draft. Unfortunately, for Fields and the Bears, their coaching staff and GM’s futures seem to be tied to whether he stays or goes.

While these circumstances are unique to Chicago (this season), it’s something other franchises have faced in the past and will face again in the future. The difference as far as I can tell is how Fields has handled this situation and his career arc. 

While not every sports franchise in Chicago always acts like a big market team, the media treats all of the players as if they are playing for one and many of the bigger names have not responded as positively as Fields has. Without naming names, one former Cub flaked out on the fans, media and his team this past season. A bigger name with a longer history in the city flunked that course the past couple of seasons.

The Bears are easily the most-heavily covered team in town and Fields plays the most difficult and essential position in sports and could lead a seminar on media and fan relations. He’s handled criticism, barrages of meaningless questions about things not under his control, things that he can control and everyone’s future with the team.

Even during his four-game, positive run after his injury, I questioned his ability to pass for 300+ yards in any game. He’s been open and honest, has never taken the easy way out and hasn’t cheated anyone. His hard work and effort can’t be questioned. That used to be enough in this city, but because he’s more gifted athletically. he’s being held to a higher standard.

People in this city pretend that they’d live with a quarterback that can produce wins, and not be the reason the team loses. However, they are really looking for a consistent 300+ yards per game passer. 

Unlike most quarterbacks that might not be back the following year, I haven’t heard many that won’t wish the young man well in his next job. It’s more to his credit, that many people don’t trust the current head coach or offensive coordinator to develop the next quarterback even if he is the #1 pick and talent in the draft. 

Overall, he’s acquitted himself much better than many of the more veteran athletes in town (currently playing and not winning). As great as the next guy may be, first round quarterbacks aren’t sure things, no matter how much we want them to be.