The Bears will have an interesting decision to make this offseason.
The team is expected to hold on to the No. 1 overall pick, but their current quarterback, Justin Fields, was the 11th overall pick in 2021 and has two years left on his contract. Will he stay or will he go?
Fields was asked Wednesday what he has shown the Bears with his play this season.
“Improvement,” Fields said, via Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune. “You know. You know. Everyone in the building knows who I am. Like I said, I can control what I can control and that's all.”
USC's Caleb Williams and North Carolina's Drake Maye are quarterbacks expected to be top prospects.
Fields didn't make the decision lightly, as he went 3-7 this season and 8-27 in his career as a starter. This season, Fields ranks in the bottom half of passing statistics, including yards per attempt (6.70) and passer rating (85.6). He has 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
He also ran for 488 yards and two touchdowns.
Would Fields be better with more talent around him? Undoubtedly. But how much better? And will Williams or Maye be better than Fields? General manager Ryan Poles' future will depend on his decision.
Wide receiver DJ Moore knows who he wants next season and expressed his belief in Fields earlier this week.
“It means a lot,” Fields said. “[The guys] I know the work I put in every day. I try to lead the team in the best possible way. I’m just happy that I’m a positive influence and that my teammates think of me that way.”