Beating the Packers on their field to knock them out of the playoffs with Fields heroic 4Q drive would be a very big F’ing deal (to borrow a phrase from our president). Given that plus all the support Fields has from fans and teammates, Poles would have to have brass balls to trade him and bring in a rookie QB.
On the flip side, if Fields craps the bed and loses the game in the 4Q, that would probably seal his fate.
One way to look at it. I have another. If Poles drafts his "QB", that gives him at least 3 new years of breathing room. If he stays with Fields, in worst scenario (not far from current reality) he gets one more year.
He can treat Fields like Ravens did use 5th yr. Option, tag, to get through the 2025 season. That’s the last year for Moore’s contract, too. That’s the year to be Super Bowl ready. If not Super Bowl ready and Field’s agent is trying to break the bank, Poles will probably trade him.
I think this is pretty spot on. Fields hasn't been good or bad enough to make this decision easy. A strong performance on the road vs a key divisional rival (esp. in the 4th Q if it comes down to that which it often does) would make it hard to not keep him. Conversely, a crappy outing particularly with one of his all-too-common 4th Q meltdowns would make moving on very tempting.
All us humans are subject to recency bias. If Poles is remotely on the fence right now with either Flus or Fields, Sunday's game could easily push him over one side or the other.
+1
The more I think about this, the more I agree with you. I think it will come down to the outcome of that game. I am seeing lots of activity on social media that George McCaskey really, really wants to see us win that game. If Flus, Fields and the rest of the team can pull it off, it will be basically impossible to do anything else than keep Flus and Fields (and maybe even Getsy, as disgusting as that though is).
If anything is decided on because of this one game Poles should be fired. You have 3 years of tape on Fields. If Poles doesn't already know exactly what he thinks about Fields he hasn't been doing his job.
Whether he wants to draft a replacement for him can still be decided based on the merits of the possible replacements, but he should absolutely know what his opinion of Fields is regardless of this game.
Post by Whisky Beer Bob on Jan 4, 2024 16:22:21 GMT -6
I am still on the fence but leaning more on keeping Fields. Of course that will change for me depending on Sunday's game.
I am very interested in seeing an O with Moore, Fields and MHJ on the field. Even more so now knowing that DJ and MHJ grew up together and Fields knows MHJ from college so they all have a connection already.
I'm not much of a "hate Green Bay" guy as I have great memories of Wisconsin but I like geographic rivalries and the Bears have been doormats for a long time in this one. The fanbase (and owners) care about this more than most games. It will carry more weight.
Bears play well and win -- major feather in Flus' cap and he's safe. Fields would almost assuredly be the starter next year too.
Bears crap the bed like they unusually do -- I could see Flus still being in trouble and Fields chances would take a big hit too.
I can tolerate losing a well-played, close game 26-24 or something but if they look unprepared and uncompetitive, I think heads could roll.
That's it in a nutshell, for me anyway. This is a great opportunity for both guys. I could see this going either way for them (staying or leaving the Bears). If they can pull off a good performance on Sunday, stacking it on top of the better performances in the last half of the season, then I think both guys could stay - even Luke Getsy. I know that's anathema to most every Bears fan, but it could happen if the team stacks another win with a solid offense performance. The flip side is also there and an embarrassing outing could still mean the broom comes out and folks get swept out of here.
I just got around to watching my recording of the Fiesta Bowl. Bo Nix threw for 257 yards and 4 TDs in the FIRST HALF. One thing he does much better than Fields is see the field and get the ball out fast. I’m sure he was at 2.5 seconds or less, and every throw was on the money.
That's it in a nutshell, for me anyway. This is a great opportunity for both guys. I could see this going either way for them (staying or leaving the Bears). If they can pull off a good performance on Sunday, stacking it on top of the better performances in the last half of the season, then I think both guys could stay - even Luke Getsy. I know that's anathema to most every Bears fan, but it could happen if the team stacks another win with a solid offense performance. The flip side is also there and an embarrassing outing could still mean the broom comes out and folks get swept out of here.
I just got around to watching my recording of the Fiesta Bowl. Bo Nix threw for 257 yards and 4 TDs in the FIRST HALF. One thing he does much better than Fields is see the field and get the ball out fast. I’m sure he was at 2.5 seconds or less, and every throw was on the money.
I like him a lot. I have followed Oregon football for several years, just because I love how their offense can be exciting football. I also saw that Fiesta Bowl game. I think the greatest challenge in evaluating QB1 draftees is to make sure they have the mental, emotional and maturity foundation to survive as an NFL QB1. It is a totally different challenge than college ball. That's why it is so very difficult to get it right drafting a QB. Most all of these guys have the physical side (raw talent anyway). But we have both seen a small army of guys fail as NFL quarterbacks, even though they had elite physical talent. That's why I'm just going to trust that the Bears can get this right. They have a lot greater depth of background information than we do.
I just got around to watching my recording of the Fiesta Bowl. Bo Nix threw for 257 yards and 4 TDs in the FIRST HALF. One thing he does much better than Fields is see the field and get the ball out fast. I’m sure he was at 2.5 seconds or less, and every throw was on the money.
I like him a lot. I have followed Oregon football for several years, just because I love how their offense can be exciting football. I also saw that Fiesta Bowl game. I think the greatest challenge in evaluating QB1 draftees is to make sure they have the mental, emotional and maturity foundation to survive as an NFL QB1. It is a totally different challenge than college ball. That's why it is so very difficult to get it right drafting a QB. Most all of these guys have the physical side (raw talent anyway). But we have both seen a small army of guys fail as NFL quarterbacks, even though they had elite physical talent. That's why I'm just going to trust that the Bears can get this right. They have a lot greater depth of background information than we do.
I agree. I just read Nix’s biography. He comes from a football family. His father was QB at Auburn. I am sure his father coached him on how to play the position. Bo was a star QB ever since high school. I think he’s a very good prospect. If he slides into second round, I’d consider drafting him to backup Fields (no offense to Bagent). You almost must assume Fields will miss some time during the season with an injury. With so many teams losing their QB1 this year, you need to be able to win some games with your backup. Browns with Flacco, for example.
Boy I don’t know. Drafting a new qb would mean the GM admitting Fields was a mistake. I don’t think fields should be labeled a mistake. He certainly shows promise unlike Zach Wilson
Well, this GM didnt draft him. After 3 years there is still no way to trust Justin in 4th.
Ah, for some reason I thought this one did.. My mistake
That's it in a nutshell, for me anyway. This is a great opportunity for both guys. I could see this going either way for them (staying or leaving the Bears). If they can pull off a good performance on Sunday, stacking it on top of the better performances in the last half of the season, then I think both guys could stay - even Luke Getsy. I know that's anathema to most every Bears fan, but it could happen if the team stacks another win with a solid offense performance. The flip side is also there and an embarrassing outing could still mean the broom comes out and folks get swept out of here.
Biggest game of Justin Fields career here.
Won't be a good look for him if Jordan Love outplays him AGAIN. If he looks bad, I think Poles will be listening to offers carefully.
Fields better outplay Love. He's going against Joe Barry. Love is going against a good defense.
Beating the Packers on their field to knock them out of the playoffs with Fields heroic 4Q drive would be a very big F’ing deal (to borrow a phrase from our president). Given that plus all the support Fields has from fans and teammates, Poles would have to have brass balls to trade him and bring in a rookie QB.
On the flip side, if Fields craps the bed and loses the game in the 4Q, that would probably seal his fate.
One way to look at it. I have another. If Poles drafts his "QB", that gives him at least 3 new years of breathing room. If he stays with Fields, in worst scenario (not far from current reality) he gets one more year.
The new qb will also be cheap. The secret sauce is winning a SB with a first contract QB and build a great team around him
One way to look at it. I have another. If Poles drafts his "QB", that gives him at least 3 new years of breathing room. If he stays with Fields, in worst scenario (not far from current reality) he gets one more year.
But if he drafts a bust it doesn't matter if the busted guy (Caleb) was a cheaper option. The new guy needs to at least have a floor at Fields' level, right? At least that's how I am thinking (LOL, I may not be right, but that's my thought). Poles won't look at only this last game but it could be important if it confirms the trend of upward play for Fields. Trends do matter. And of course if Fields has a bad game then that too will be factored in.
I heard a stat somewhere that the Packers defense has given up four season best performances this year including a perfect QBR to Mayfield and making Bryce Young and Danny Devito look like Dan Marino. Our secondary is littered with UDFA's and late picks... Fields better look good Sunday...