In his defense he's been dealing with injuries and I'm sure will look a lot better next year but the how/why is a barren FA WR market and what right now projects as down year for the WR class relative to what we've seen in the past few seasons.how did they trade such a high pick for Claypool? Hes been invisible.
Good point on the sacks. QBs in general are more vulnerable while looking downfield for a receiver than running like an RB.I think it'd be really lame to sit Fields in week 18. He's only 60-some rushing yards from the record. The Bears could use the positive of having a player set a positive record a ton. I think worrying that somebody will get hurt in a meaningless game is stupid, especially since the Bears have been having meaningless games since November.
It's one thing when its a playoff team saving guys for next week, or a Carr situation where you are getting rid of him in the offseason, and don't wanna be on the hook for his salary if he goes down, but those situations don't apply at all.
Also of note, and something I find interesting, is that none of the running QBs who got hurt this year, got hurt running (other than Kyler I guess, but that was non-contact and shouldn't count in my opinion) Fields/Lamar/Hurts all got hurt getting sacked. Just something I find interesting, with the idea that running QBs are more likely to get hurt.
Bears head coach Matt Eberflus did not commit to Justin Fields starting Week 18 against the Vikings.
Fields took seven sacks in the Bears' loss to the Lions and was noticeably banged up. After the game, Eberflus said Fields would play in Week 18 if healthy but has now said that he and general manager Ryan Poles would have a conversation about what's in the best interest of the team heading into the final week of the regular season. Fields needs just 64 rushing yards to set the single-season rushing record for a quarterback, but playing one more game behind Chicago's offensive line may not be worth it in the long run.
Jan 2, 2023, 4:05 PM ET
I hope they asked him his choice to play for the record or save himself from some more hits unless he is hurt. He has taken a lot of abuse from shuffling O line and having little recieving weopons.
Lovie Smith gifting the #1 pick to the Bears would be pretty sweet of him.
CHI HOU and IND all trying so hard to lose their last game
Referee: heads or tails?
Team Captain: we’ll defer
Referee: No, you can only defer after winning the coin toss.
Team Captain: can we let them call it?
Bears general manager Ryan Poles did not rule out taking a quarterback with the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Poles named Justin Fields the team's 2023 starter before saying he would take a quarterback in the draft if he were "absolutely blown away" by the prospect. It would be stunning if the Bears moved on from Fields after he flashed great potential in a horrid Chicago offense this season, nearly setting the NFL record for quarterback rushing yardage. Poles said Fields -- who was 28th in completion rate over expected in 2022 -- "has to get better as a passer." The Bears would do well to use their massive draft capital to upgrade Fields' pass-catching group or his porous offensive line.
SOURCE: Adam Jahns on Twitter
Jan 10, 2023, 11:43 AM ET
Actually smart for the Bears to get that out. only they know what direction they are going, it makes teams up their offers.
You can bet they are telling him "It's just smoke" whether it's actually smoke or not.As long as Justin is in on the game. If he’s not aware of this as a leverage play it risks turning him against the management. A lot of folks would react negatively if in that situation.
Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer believes the Bears will try to trade the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
“My sense is they’re going to move forward with Justin Fields and try to trade the first pick,” Breer said Tuesday on the Rich Eisen Show, adding the Chicago brass "feels strongly" about Fields. “There wasn’t enough around Justin to get a clean evaluation on him [in 2022]. Things are trending for Justin being the Bears quarterback in 2023, with a lot riding on the line then.” The Bears could trade away the top pick to a QB-needy team in the coming months and still land a much needed top-flight offensive or defensive lineman, or maybe a receiver. Among the worst rosters in the NFL, the Bears would do well to stockpile picks and try to shore up the offense around Fields.
SOURCE: Clay Harbor on Twitter
Feb 1, 2023, 11:30 AM ET
I agree. I never for a second thought they would move Fields.My hunch is that Fields is indeed their guy and that they will get a haul for 1.01. Not because of gamesmanship but because they simply hold a winning lottery ticket and none of this **** really matters because they're going to get real good offers.
I think that's arguable given they ended up with the worst record.Tbh as a Fields shareholder I hope they do deal him to a better organization.
If he’s at all speculating about his future after the steps he took forward on a team that had trash around him, he’s better off elsewhere.
Team sport.I think that's arguable given they ended up with the worst record.
Can't say enough how he seemed to improve just after Claypool arrived.I think that's arguable given they ended up with the worst record.Tbh as a Fields shareholder I hope they do deal him to a better organization.
If he’s at all speculating about his future after the steps he took forward on a team that had trash around him, he’s better off elsewhere.
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Chase Claypool 2023 Stats per Game - NFL - ESPN
The 2023 NFL season stats per game for Chase Claypool of the Buffalo Bills on ESPN. Includes full stats, per opponent, for regular and postseason.www.espn.com
I don't see how Claypool goes from a WR3/4 (4th/5th option if you include Muth) on Pitt averaging about 4-50 (6 target avverage) with Tribusky and a rookie QB to a WR2 on Chicago and musters about 2-20 with Fields (4 target average). Oh...his high yardage total with Chicago came with a backup.
Claypool hardly played the first couple of games - he wasn't quick to absorb the new playbook. But it did open things up for Kmet & Mooney (until Mooney got hurt. my fault - I traded for him. Sorry) - but he should be better next year, and he's certainly more legit of a WR2 than any of the other scrubs they're rolling out there.Can't say enough how he seemed to improve just after Claypool arrived.I think that's arguable given they ended up with the worst record.Tbh as a Fields shareholder I hope they do deal him to a better organization.
If he’s at all speculating about his future after the steps he took forward on a team that had trash around him, he’s better off elsewhere.
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Chase Claypool 2023 Stats per Game - NFL - ESPN
The 2023 NFL season stats per game for Chase Claypool of the Buffalo Bills on ESPN. Includes full stats, per opponent, for regular and postseason.www.espn.com
I don't see how Claypool goes from a WR3/4 (4th/5th option if you include Muth) on Pitt averaging about 4-50 (6 target avverage) with Tribusky and a rookie QB to a WR2 on Chicago and musters about 2-20 with Fields (4 target average). Oh...his high yardage total with Chicago came with a backup.
I didn't watch them closely enough or read enough to know why but there's either a clear impact or strong coincidence.
Maybe the D doubling Claypool as the only threat? Maybe it's as simple as he saw some things and encouraged Fields?
They did have a rookie some here liked but he just looked like a return guy as a rookie. Needs a big second year jumpClaypool hardly played the first couple of games - he wasn't quick to absorb the new playbook. But it did open things up for Kmet & Mooney (until Mooney got hurt. my fault - I traded for him. Sorry) - but he should be better next year, and he's certainly more legit of a WR2 than any of the other scrubs they're rolling out there.Can't say enough how he seemed to improve just after Claypool arrived.I think that's arguable given they ended up with the worst record.Tbh as a Fields shareholder I hope they do deal him to a better organization.
If he’s at all speculating about his future after the steps he took forward on a team that had trash around him, he’s better off elsewhere.
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Chase Claypool 2023 Stats per Game - NFL - ESPN
The 2023 NFL season stats per game for Chase Claypool of the Buffalo Bills on ESPN. Includes full stats, per opponent, for regular and postseason.www.espn.com
I don't see how Claypool goes from a WR3/4 (4th/5th option if you include Muth) on Pitt averaging about 4-50 (6 target avverage) with Tribusky and a rookie QB to a WR2 on Chicago and musters about 2-20 with Fields (4 target average). Oh...his high yardage total with Chicago came with a backup.
I didn't watch them closely enough or read enough to know why but there's either a clear impact or strong coincidence.
Maybe the D doubling Claypool as the only threat? Maybe it's as simple as he saw some things and encouraged Fields?
They absolutely need to bring in FAs or rookie WRs. Hopefully in a trade down they'll pick up an early 2nd and get one of the less heralded rookies.
If you’re talking about Velus, I like him. But he was pretty raw, and best suited to returns & WR3-4 status.They did have a rookie some here liked but he just looked like a return guy as a rookie. Needs a big second year jump
Raw? Most said he was pro ready due to being in college until he was 26If you’re talking about Velus, I like him. But he was pretty raw, and best suited to returns & WR3-4 status.They did have a rookie some here liked but he just looked like a return guy as a rookie. Needs a big second year jump
But he wasn't. That's what we're saying.Raw? Most said he was pro ready due to being in college until he was 26If you’re talking about Velus, I like him. But he was pretty raw, and best suited to returns & WR3-4 status.They did have a rookie some here liked but he just looked like a return guy as a rookie. Needs a big second year jump
Exactly. Jones was a bit less than advertised. Could take a step next year. There’s often growing pains.But he wasn't. That's what we're saying.Raw? Most said he was pro ready due to being in college until he was 26If you’re talking about Velus, I like him. But he was pretty raw, and best suited to returns & WR3-4 status.They did have a rookie some here liked but he just looked like a return guy as a rookie. Needs a big second year jump
He might be a typical rookie and need some time to develop- not this new standard of big contributions day one. Maybe he is just a part timer ST guy.
Would you draft another WR highly if you were the Bears GM? Plan on him?
I would see what I had with Claypool, Mooney, Kmet and not take someone early.But he wasn't. That's what we're saying.Raw? Most said he was pro ready due to being in college until he was 26If you’re talking about Velus, I like him. But he was pretty raw, and best suited to returns & WR3-4 status.They did have a rookie some here liked but he just looked like a return guy as a rookie. Needs a big second year jump
He might be a typical rookie and need some time to develop- not this new standard of big contributions day one. Maybe he is just a part timer ST guy.
Would you draft another WR highly if you were the Bears GM? Plan on him?
I’m not sure why they should move Fields for telling the truth about Chicago weather.
The Bears should move Fields now for a bundle of picks while his value is still probably pretty high.
It’s hot take season. I’ve seen a couple with this one.Just heard a fantasy show guy mention he thinks the Bears will trade Fields
I imagine the Bears would want some of the QB needy teams behind them to start worrying they might trade Fields and take a QB at 1.As such it likely benefits the Bears to have this rumor float around and why I think we'll be hearing it a lot more but not sure how much substance is behind it.It’s hot take season. I’ve seen a couple with this one.Just heard a fantasy show guy mention he thinks the Bears will trade Fields
Yeah, that’s a good point. Drive the price up. They should be careful. They might accidentally get an offer they can’t refuse.I imagine the Bears would want some of the QB needy teams behind them to start worrying they might trade Fields and take a QB at 1.As such it likely benefits the Bears to have this rumor float around and why I think we'll be hearing it a lot more but not sure how much substance is behind it.
All I know is the Bears are in such a good position right now. They could go a number of directions and none of them would be wrong IMO.
It’s hot take season. I’ve seen a couple with this one.Just heard a fantasy show guy mention he thinks the Bears will trade Fields
I can’t see why they’d move off of Fields unless they get a godfather offer for him.
Then they get to choose between Stroud, Young, Levis, and Richardson and hope they don’t pick a bust.
Seems foolish to invest this much time in Fields and throw him back for whatever is behind door #2.
And Chicago starts over at QB with….?It’s hot take season. I’ve seen a couple with this one.Just heard a fantasy show guy mention he thinks the Bears will trade Fields
I can’t see why they’d move off of Fields unless they get a godfather offer for him.
Then they get to choose between Stroud, Young, Levis, and Richardson and hope they don’t pick a bust.
Seems foolish to invest this much time in Fields and throw him back for whatever is behind door #2.
Assuming similar offers for the 1 or Fields, I’d trade fields. They likely would get more for trading the 1, but how much?
There’s been talk / speculation about fields in Atlanta. The fit is nice. the 8 isn’t enough but add a couple other picks and it’s worth considering.
They’d have the No. 1 pick.And Chicago starts over at QB with….?
Right. So they’d be starting over with Young or Stroud I assume?They’d have the No. 1 pick.And Chicago starts over at QB with….?
I’m not saying it’s what will (or should) happen, but the theory would be that they’d turn Fields into “multiple picks”, and then start over with a potentially better QB and get two extra years of a rookie contract.Right. So they’d be starting over with Young or Stroud I assume?They’d have the No. 1 pick.And Chicago starts over at QB with….?
Instead of parlaying that pick into multiple picks.
Seems foolish to me.