This weekend, Justin Fields remained sidelined due to a thumb injury and some in the media took advantage of his absence to belittle him.
It’s another example of the poor treatment Fields has unfairly received since arriving in the Windy City, and now it appears that the Bears organization might be throwing him under the bus as well.
After trading up with the New York Giants, Chicago selected Fields with the 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and he was expected to help restore the franchise to the glory days long past.
Fields was a star in his two seasons as Ohio State’s starting quarterback, compiling a 20-2 record while throwing for 5,373 yards, 63 TDs and 9 INTs. He also added another 867 yards and 15 TDs on the ground.
While the expectations were high for the rookie, Fields had the frame and talent to carry the load.
But he was thrust into former head coach Matt Nagy’s system, which had him running for his life every week.
Despite playing behind a horrendous offensive line his first two seasons, Fields managed to throw for over 4,000 yards, 24 TDs and 21 INTs in 25 games.
Yet it was his legs that garnered the most attention, and with the way he was running for his life on Sundays, that wasn’t a surprise. Fields rushed for 420 yards and 2 TDs in his rookie season and then exploded for 1,143 rushing yards and 8 TDs in year two.
The team went 5-20 in his 25 starts, but there was no doubting Fields’ potential.
Heading into this season, the team knew Fields needed weapons. Taking a page from the Bills and Eagles, Chicago traded for Panthers star receiver DJ Moore and things looked promising, especially after Moore exploded 230 yards and 3 TDs in a blowout of the Commanders on Thursday night football.
It appeared that the Fields-Moore connection had arrived, and with a few more additions, the Bears could take some big strides forward.
But the following week, Fields hurt his hand and was replaced by former DII QB Tyson Bagent.
Badgett displayed a little magic in a win against the Raiders, but a loss to the Chargers this past Sunday popped his bubble despite NBC Sports’ Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth doing their very best to hype the young player up at the expense of the injured and more talented Fields.
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