Is Ex-Buckeye QB Justin Fields Ready For Breakout Season With Bears?

Justin Fields' preseason came with its highs and lows throughout the three-week process.

What version of former Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields will take the field for the Chicago Bears in his third season? 

Is it the one that led the Buckeyes to a national title appearance in 2020? Is it the version that became a Heisman finalist in 2019 after leading Ohio State to the College Football Playoff?

Or could it be the one that struggled to connect with receivers last season and relied heavily on his legs to do most of the heavy lifting? Will that be the version that takes the field against rival Green Bay to open a crossroads season for one of the league's most pressured passers? 

No one is entirely sure what version of Fields trots out of the tunnel at Solider Field on Sept. 10. You can't really use the preseason as a gauge on whether the former first-rounder has drastically improved with his timing and accuracy, mainly because there are so few reps to monitor. 

Still, Fields said following the Bears' preseason finale loss to the Buffalo Bills Saturday that he's prepared for Week 1. 

‘‘I feel like I’m ready,’’ Fields said. ‘‘I think us, as a whole team, we’re ready.’’

Second-year Bears coach Matt Eberflus, to an extent, would agree.

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‘‘He's in a good spot,’’ said Eberflus. ‘‘We’ve spent a lot of time and attention on what we needed to this offseason. We’re excited where we are. We’ve got work to do. We’ve got a lot of work to do still.’’

Fields didn't suit up in the Bears' second preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts and only played two series in the first matchup against the Tennessee Titans. From a statline perspective — 3-of-3 for 129 yards and two scores — it would look like the former Buckeyes star had turned the corner. 

Then one turns on the tape and sees his passes. Both scores came on passes thrown behind the line of scrimmage that later turned into six points thanks to the elusiveness of receiver D.J. Moore and running back Khalil Herbert. 

Saturday's loss to Buffalo also is hard to judge, mainly due to Chicago's offensive line woes. The Bears were without three starters, who all sat due to injury, including first-round pick Darnell Wright.  

Fields, who finished 2-of-6 passing, struggled facing Buffalo's front seven. He threw into double coverage that nearly led to an interception on a pass intended for Moore. He evaded pressure and eventually was forced to take off running, totaling 16 yards on the ground. 

By the second quarter, Fields' day was done. Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver bulldozed into the quarterback after a completed pass to running back D'Onta Foreman, marking his fifth hit of the afternoon. 

Eberflus didn't want to risk further damage with the season right around the corner. 

‘‘Wasn’t excited that he got hit on that one,’’ the Bears coach said postgame.

Chicago made significant investments this offseason to build around what it hopes to be the long-term option at the game's most important position. Despite landing the No. 1 pick, the Bears traded back eight spots with the Carolina Panthers to land a legitimate No. 1 target in Moore and an extra first-round pick. 

They invested in the offensive line, drafting Wright and signing former Tennessee Titans starter Nate Davis. They improved their defense, adding in names like cornerback Tyrique Stevenson in the draft while signing defensive end Yannick Ngakoue and linebackers T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds. 

While on paper Chicago has improved, everything falls on Fields' shoulders. It's a second season in the system and another year of mental and physical reps in the league. 

What version of Fields debuts in 2023? Bears fans — and the Ohio State faithful — will find out in 13 days.

And it could be for better or worse.