Falcons vs. Bears GAMEDAY Preview: Justin Fields Auditioning for Atlanta?

Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears host the Atlanta Falcons today at a snowy Soldier Field.

Today, the Atlanta Falcons are on the road to play against the Chicago Bears in what is likely each team’s most important game of the season.

Although neither team has a favorite to make the playoffs, both remain in the hunt for an NFC wildcard spot. Yet somehow, that may not even be the most exciting storyline in this game.

The focus of this game comes down to one player who both teams will be watching closely: quarterback Justin Fields.

Current Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields could be auditioning for the Atlanta Falcons starting job this Sunday / Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

In 2021, the NFL Draft was loaded with talent in multiple positions where players were projected to become stars, and with the fourth overall pick, the Falcons selected tight end Kyle Pitts, the player viewed as the most likely to make the NFL Hall of Fame based on his college success and freakish athleticism.

However, Fields, the player with arguably even more athleticism and college production, fell to the No. 11 pick, where the Bears would trade up to select him.

Since that day, each player has enjoyed varying levels of success, with each flashing superstar potential at different points, but neither living up to lofty expectations placed upon them coming out of the draft. 

Now Chicago is faced with a decision in this year's draft. 

A season ago, the Bears traded away the No. 1 pick to the Carolina Panthers. As a part of the compensation for that pick, they will receive that team’s first-rounder this year, which is currently projected to be No.1 overall in a class that features potential high-end starting quarterbacks Drake Maye and Caleb Williams. 

Chicago is currently 6-9, holding the No. 9 draft position, while Atlanta is in the tenth spot with a record of 7-8.

It could be argued that neither team has its franchise quarterback at this moment, but Fields has led his team to wins in three out of the past four games, providing his believers with hope that the once-promising Ohio State quarterback prospect is still in there.

Among the believers are many Falcons fans who have been hoping the team would trade for the athletic blue-chip quarterback prospect possessing the speed of a receiver. 

Atlanta is seemingly a quarterback away from being the NFC South favorites for the next five years. With arguably the second most talented running back in the league in rookie Bijan Robinson, one of the best young possession receivers in the NFL in Drake London, a solid offensive line, and perhaps the best tight end duo in the league between Pitts and Jonnu Smith, Fields could be the missing piece that elevates this offense from a team filled with elite offensive decoys to an elite scoring machine. 

Fields has the speed to scare defenses and run for 1,000 yards a season if used properly and the arm talent to potentially unlock the potential Pitts has had shelved ever since his rookie year when Matt Ryan helped him cross the 1,000-yard threshold, but every Falcons quarterback since has failed to recapture. 

Sunday will allow fans and front offices of both franchises another close look at Fields to help decide if he’s their guy for the future.

Falcons vs. Bears Week 17: How to Watch, Betting Odds

If Atlanta comes out and convincingly eliminates the Bears from playoff contention, perhaps Chicago will throw in the towel and decide Fields isn’t the fit for its offense they’d hoped he would be, and suddenly, he’s available for the Falcons via trade this offseason. 

Or, Fields could manage to have himself a nice game as he somehow picks apart Atlanta’s defense, which has had stellar play from All-Pro safety Jessie Bates III, and in the process, earns more time as the Bears starter. 

Either way, this game goes, both organizations will have their eyes on Fields, a player who still seemingly has untapped upside.