Little Hope in Polls for Backup QB

The Chicago Bears are down in the polls again and the possibility of a new QB playing this week is generating little enthusiasm.

In Chicago, it's always said the backup quarterback is the most popular guy in town.

"Be careful what you ask for," should also be a refrain heard often. 

Tyson Bagent is more likely to show people why Justin Fields was starter rather than make anyone forget him.

Many of the NFL power rankings this week have taken on the tone of how it will be interesting to see whether an undrafted Division II free agent quarterback can perform any better in the Bears offense than Fields was. 

However, the undertone to most of those is the dismal reality that it's very likely not going to go well for someone so inexperienced and the Bears are hurt greatly for every week Fields must be away from the lineup.

This was the season to find out if he could get it done, after all. 

Now he's out indefinitely with the dislocated thumb and they'll get no feedback on their QB. 

The only thing more dismal is where the Bears have dropped following a loss to the Minnesota Vikings, their 11th straight in the NFC North, a division GM Ryan Poles said they were going to take and not give back.

SI.com: 29th

Matt Eberflus' future is addressed by Conor Orr: "Matt Eberflus still seems to have the buy-in. Life without Justin Fields could be ugly, though." 

Yahoo Sports: 29th

Frank Schwab notes the buzz building about the rookie backup as he kept the Bears right where he had them.

"There has been a strange excitement in Chicago for undrafted rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent ever since the preseason," he wrote, adding, "The reality is Bagent is probably going to help only the Bears' 2024 draft position, which isn't the worst outcome."

CBS Sports: 27th

Pete Prisco dropped the Bears three spots and has put up the white flag on 2023. Let the Tankathon begin.

NFL.com: 30th

Eric Edholm is looking forward to a change of pace at quarterback. Perhaps he's seen enough of Fields? 

USA Today: 29th

Justin Fields' thumb takes center stage in Nate Davis dropping the Bears three places, as he notes the injury isn't the only disappointing aspect about Fields last week.

NBC Sports/Pro Football Talk: 27th

Mike Florio found a Dick Butkus theme as he dropped the Bears one place. "Falling to 1-5 isn’t the best way to honor No. 51," he wrote.

The Sporting News: 30th

Vinnie Iyer denotes the tough part of the injury and poor play by the offense in the loss to a Vikings team struggling on defense. "Without him, with shaky defense, there's not much hope, especially with a depleted backfield."

The 33rd Team: 31st

 Ryan Reynolds appears to doubt the rookie QB's abilities. "With Tyson Bagent at quarterback, the only reason the Bears aren’t last in our power rankings is because the Panthers haven’t won a game," he wrote.

Fox Sports: 30th

The Fields assessment is central to David Helman's theme as well, as the Bears drop one place in power rankings.  

"On top of giving the Bears a better chance to win, Fields also needs to play as many games as possible so the front office can evaluate whether he's their franchise guy," Helman wrote.

ESPN: 29th

Courtney Cronin of ESPN says the injury could mean Justin Fields doesn't have time to prove he is their quarterback for the future, and with the team in possession currently of the draft's top two picks, it's a matter of time for the former Ohio State QB.

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