Justin Fields is solely “The Man” for the Chicago Bears. May he finally go down as the best quarterback in franchise historical past?
That’s type of a foolish query proper now, seeing that he’s solely in his second NFL season. However in the event you actually give it some thought, the Bears haven’t had a plethora of elite quarterbacks since their inception in 1920.
So sure, it’s not out of the query that Fields might sooner or later be thought-about Chicago’s QB G.O.A.T.
Following a collegiate profession at each Georgia and Ohio State, Fields was chosen by the Bears with the eleventh total choose within the 2021 NFL Draft.
The Atlanta-area native began 10 video games as a rookie in Chicago, throwing for 1,870 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He additionally rushed for 420 yards and two touchdowns.
Fields has been phenomenal this season. Though his passing numbers (2,242 yards, 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions) haven’t been nice, he has rushed for a ridiculous 1,143 yards (sixth-best within the league) and eight touchdowns.
Fields is 64 yards away from breaking Lamar Jackson’s single-season quarterback speeding document. Sadly, he received’t get the possibility to surpass Jackson as he’ll miss the season finale in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings attributable to a strained hip.
Fields is barely the third quarterback in NFL historical past to hurry for over 1,000 yards in a season. Jackson has executed it twice (in 2019 and 2020) whereas Michael Vick achieved the feat as soon as (2006).
Chicago Bears quarterbacks of the previous
Whenever you consider the Bears’ storied historical past, operating again legends like Walter Payton and Gale Sayers come to thoughts. You may additionally take into consideration defensive stars comparable to Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary and, extra just lately, Brian Urlacher. Nevertheless, the franchise undoubtedly isn’t recognized for its signal-callers.
Jim McMahon—who teamed with Payton and the legendary 1985 protection to assist Chicago win Tremendous Bowl XX—is clearly the preferred quarterback in franchise historical past.
, and a few powerful 1980’s nonsense @FootballLearn1 Jim McMahon… 1st spherical draft selection of the 1982 draft, fifth total choice, rookie of the yr award, 1x Professional Bowler, 2x Tremendous Bowl #champion… Recall him for shades, beers 🍻, and a few powerful 1980’s nonsense #Bears groups #NFL https://t.co/IqEcBfbbmA
Talking of Tremendous Bowls, Rex Grossman helped lead the Bears to the “Huge Sport” in 2007, though the staff fell to Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts.
Jay Cutler, who performed eight seasons within the Windy Metropolis, is the staff’s profession chief in passing yards with 23,443 and landing passes (154).
Sid Luckman, although, is undoubtedly the best quarterback in Bears historical past. The Corridor of Famer performed 12 seasons with the staff, serving to them win NFL championships in 1940, 1941, 1943 and 1946. He additionally led the league in each passing yards and passing touchdowns 3 times.
Different notable quarterbacks in franchise historical past embody Jim Harbaugh, Erik Kramer, George Blanda, Bobby Douglass and Johnny Lujack.
If he can keep wholesome and stay in Chicago for years to return, Fields might go down as one of many Bears’ biggest quarterbacks of all time. He is already twentieth on the franchise’s all-time passing yards checklist after solely two seasons. Whereas he might sooner or later be thought-about the staff’s second-greatest quarterback, he’ll by no means have the ability to trump Luckman because the G.O.A.T. Luckaman simply has too many accomplishments.
