I will say, I think part of the issue here is that you're just far more impressed with Fields' turnaround than I am.
He's looked a little better for parts of the last 4-5 games (again, a low bar), but realistically in terms of what level of play would be "good enough" to justify keeping him, the games like Washington/Denver need to be a lot more common than they are, and the games like most of the games he's played this year need to be a lot less common.
He needs to put the ball in the endzone. His legs are a great weapon, but if he's going to play running back you're wasting the most important position on the field - he needs to be able to throw the ball consistently, and he needs to be a LOT better in 2nd/3rd and long situations and end-game situations. He obviously has some arm talent too, he just has never put everything together - he seems like he struggles processing his reads quickly, still misses easy throws too often for a guy who's started 30 some games in the NFL, etc.
I don’t know that I’d call it “impressed” as much as “encouraged.” Here’s what I know (and think): talent wise, he’s special. Few QBs have his talent. While I know he’s still erratic as a passer, I saw him pass for 8 TDs in two games. I’ve been watching the Bears since the late 70s. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Bears QB do that. Granted, it was two games, but we’ve seen flashes of what he can do in the passing game. I’d argue even extended flashes. He was the most accurate passer in the PFF era in college, so you know it’s there. That doesn’t happen just by playing for tOSU.
He is probably one of the 5 most talented running QBs we’ve ever seen. He would have smashed the yardage record last year had they been going for it, and he didn’t even start running till like week 5.
As of right now he is a top 20 quarterback in the NFL (granted definitely not elite), but he also has a clear path to being a top 10 quarterback. When I went over each team, I don’t remember a single quarterback in the 10-20 range anywhere near the chance to improve like him. Maybe Lawrence if he’s in that 10-12 range.
His “intangibles” are about as good as you could ask for. Leadership - check. Work ethic - check. Character - check. Toughness - check. Anyone who has ever worked with this kid raves about him. Trent Dilfer ran a QB camp for something like 10 years and he said pretty much anyone who was anybody came through his camp. He said Fields was his 2nd favorite player ever. Tua was #1.
Not everyone matures at the same rate. The Bears have done just about everything they can to fuck this kid up, yet he keeps working hard and improving.
The Bears will be ready to make a big jump next year IMO. The first class of draftees will be full fledged veterans. We are still 2nd in the league in cap space. They have tons of draft capital and could add a lot more if they trade out of the Carolina pick. Hell, if they trade it to the right team they could possibly be looking at the #1 pick three years in a row. That’s a big if, I know, but they look to be swimming in draft capital the way U of I swims in Asian butthole.
I see no reason whatsoever not to bring Justin back for a 4th year. If he isn’t getting it done you can trade him next year. I have zero problem drafting his potential replacement this year either. I have seen his floor and think it’s pretty high. I think at worst he will be a Donovan McNabb/Daunte Culpepper type quarterback. I think there’s a good chance he’ll be better than they were. Shore up his line and give him a guy like Marvin Harrison Jr or Bowers (or both!), coach him correctly, and watch this kid take off.
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