Bears Coach Looking for a Closer at QB

Justin Fields has player support but is it enough when there is talent available in the draft and his coach wants a QB who can finish games with clutch wins?

If you're Justin Fields, Matt Eberflus' comments at the NFL Scouting Combine provided a lot less reason for optimism than did those by GM Ryan Poles.

While Poles was relatively non-committal and expressed concern about leaving their current quarterback hanging, Eberflus was talking about what his idea of a good quarterback is.

Ask yourself if this describes how Fields has played to date.

"I look at situations. I look at the guys that can operate third down, two-minute and the end-of-the-game situations," Eberflus told reporters at the combine. "That, to me, is a separator for me.

"And then you look at toughness. Toughensss for a quarterback really is about the mental toughemness—to be able to stand in the pocket and deliver the ball and then also have the discernment to be able to move out of the pocket and to create when it's necessary. So, and they come in all different shapes and sizes."

Eberflus had one last year who could do some of those things but no one would confuse Fields' fourth-quarter or late-game performances with clutch.

Fields ranked 41st in the NFL in fourth-quarter passer rating at 53.4. His interception rate in the fourth quarter was 6.6%, 42nd best in the league. His fourth-quarter completion percentage was 51.1%, which ranked 42nd in the league.

Fields had two fourth-quarter comebacks in 2022 and one in 2023. The Bears lost seven straight times in games decide by a touchdown and conversion or less in 2022. 

They lost three more in succession like that in 2023 with Fields starting, although he didn't finish one of those against the Vikings. Then it changed when they finally beat the Vikings 12-10 at Minnesota. They finished the season with two more losses by eight or less to the Browns and Packers.

Whether that's a deciding factor or there are others, there's no doubt leadership is something on Fields' side.

It's apparent by the way teammates like DJ Moore cling to the notion he is their quarterback. Most players felt that way when the season ended, although a few—like Cole Kmet and Jaylon Johnson—acknowledged in the end it's not something they'll get to decide even if they do strongly support Fields.

"You know he's a leader," Poles said. "Everything our guys have said, it's true. And I'm not surprised our guys have said.

"I feel the same way. And I feel like sometimes this whole thing gets Justin vs another person and I have to look at it a little bit differently."

It's a factor, no doubt.

"I take that into effect; that's why the person is so important when we evaluate other people that would come into that position," Poles said. "But also it's my job to think of the long term and a lot of our guys kind of don't see that.

"That's not their job to do that and they defend their guy which I think speaks volumes about our culture in the locker room."

That culture supporting Fields seems like the kind of situation where revolt could occur should their starting QB be dealt. Poles is confident they'll handle it if it does occur.

"No because I have faith in our ability to communicate with our guys and when we do I think they'll know that it is in the best interest of the team," Poles said. "And I think as we've moved along here, I think the trust factor is there with however we decide."

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