Lions Proven Right Not Drafting Justin Fields
The 2021 NFL Draft was a pivotal, organizational-defining event for both the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears.
For Detroit, it was the first of the Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell era. The Lions had just traded away the franchise's long-term starting quarterback, and the plan was to strip the team down to its studs.
Meanwhile, Chicago was heading into the final year of its regime at the time. Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus would take over following a season full of struggles.
At the time, both teams were believed to be in the market for a signal-caller. Among those on each team's radar were Zach Wilson and Justin Fields.
The Bears traded up to get one, Fields, while the Lions stood pat and selected offensive lineman Penei Sewell, out of Oregon.
As both players begin their third NFL season, the Lions are clearly in a much better position. Sewell has developed into one of the league's top offensive tackles, while Fields has begun the 2023 season struggling mightily.
After an 0-2 start to 2023, Fields has fallen to 5-22 as the Bears' starting quarterback in three seasons. The situation is a dire one for Chicago, as the offense has sputtered.
On Wednesday, Fields explained what he believes could be the problem currently for the Bears' offense.
"Could be coaching, I think," Fields told reporters Monday. "But, at the end of the day, they're doing their job when they're giving me what to look at and stuff like that. But, at the end of the day, I can't be thinking about that when the game comes. I've prepared myself throughout the week, and when the game comes, it's time to play free at that point. So, just thinking less and playing more."
The passer has had his good moments, such as rushing for over 1,000 yards last season. However, he has yet to demonstrate a firm ability to command and drive an NFL offense to consistent wins.
"I don't think it's too many coaching voices," the former Buckeyes signal-caller later elaborated. "I just think when you're fed a lot of information at a point in time and you're trying to think about that info when you're playing, it's like, it doesn't let you play like yourself. You're trying to process so much information to where it's like, if I just simplify it in my mind, I would do this. I saw a few plays on Sunday, where if I was playing like my old self, we would've had a positive play, there would've been a few more third-down conversions. I think that's the biggest thing for me, playing the game like I know how to play it, how I've been playing it my whole life. That's what I've got to get back to doing."
While the Bears have struggled to start the year, the Lions are currently trying to prove they are NFC contenders. After an offseason full of hype, they sit with a record of 1-1, ahead of a critical early-season game against Atlanta.
By passing on Fields, Holmes and Campbell committed to Jared Goff as the team's quarterback. That decision has paid dividends, as he's responded with a superb 2022 campaign and strong start to 2023.
Meanwhile, the Lions added a rookie passer this past April in Hendon Hooker. The Tennessee product will spend the season working behind the veteran, in an effort to aid his development while rehabbing an injury.
Both teams made big investments during that 2021 draft. While it's still early in each player's career, the initial returns have favored the Lions in a big way.
