How should the Chicago Bears handle the Justin Fields situation?
Right now, the Chicago Bears are 3-8 on the season. The team had the chance to be a playoff contender but has yet to learn how to truly win. Last week vs the Atlanta Falcons, Fields was hurt toward the end of the game. Early reports were that he dislocated his shoulder. Fear set in that he’d miss multiple weeks, if not the rest of the 2022 season. Reports this week stated that the shoulder was not dislocated but just a separated shoulder or AC injury.
No matter the true diagnosis, analysts, fans, and even social media doctors have put their input into the universe on how they would handle Justin Fields’ injury during the rest of 2022. Some say that Justin Fields should play if he’s “healthy” enough to play. Others say that he should sit out vs the Jets and Packers and come back after the bye week in Week 14. Finally, there is a third group that believes he should be shut down for the season. The question is, what would you do?
What would you do if you are Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus? Let’s do a quick rundown of the three scenarios with both pros and cons. Then maybe we can make a better-educated decision on the matter.
The Chicago Bears should push for Justin Fields to play if “healthy”
No one at this point in the season is 100% healthy. However, if a player is “healthy enough” then he is expected to play. Justin Fields is in pain but since the pain isn’t in his throwing shoulder then he should be able to play. The key here is if the medical staff clears him and if Fields believes he can play. It’s most important to know that Fields cannot further hurt himself. He’s in his second year and has the potential to become one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Jeopardizing his career isn’t worth all that.
Now, on the flip side, Fields has only started a little over one full season. He needs reps and has been showing more promise than any other quarterback selected in the 2021 NFL Draft. He, like most of the team, also needs to learn how to finish and win games. Losing the rest of this season could cause his progress and development to regress.