5 teams that should not have passed on Justin Fields in 2021
By Peter Jurich
As the sophomore season starts to wind down for 2021 NFL draftees, it is easy to see how some franchises changed their fortunes with their draft selections, for better or for worse.
While players like Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, Justin Fields, and Micah Parsons have turned into franchise cornerstones for their organizations, many teams have been left with buyer’s remorse from their draft boards.
Looking back at the 2021 NFL Draft, it is surprising that Justin Fields not only fell out of the top 10 but was the fourth quarterback taken in the first round. In hindsight, which is always 20/20, it seems like half the teams that drafted before the Bears traded up to the 11th overall pick should regret not selecting the Ohio State quarterback. While the other half either didn’t need a quarterback or drafted one that has worked out so far.
The Chicago Bears were lucky that Justin Fields fell to them in 2021
In the latter case, for example, the Jacksonville Jaguars selected former Clemson standout quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the first overall pick. Similar to Fields, both of these young quarterbacks were stalled in their rookie year, largely due to questionable head coaches in Matt Nagy and Urban Meyer, but have started to show their true prowess and abilities in year number two.
Four teams, the Cincinnati Bengals, the Miami Dolphins, the Detroit Lions, and the Philadelphia Eagles, all passed on Fields due to security in their own quarterback room. All of them ended up with really good players in Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, Penei Sewell, and DeVonta Smith.
Outside of the aforementioned teams, there are five franchises that should have selected Justin Fields when they had the chance. Now, they likely regret not selecting him when he was still available as they were on the clock.
Whether it is bad play from their own first-round quarterback or having little to no direction in the quarterback room currently, these five teams could either be Super Bowl contenders with Fields or would be on the right steps towards a rebuild with the former Ohio State star under center.
After seeing how many teams passed on Fields, and the fact that they probably should not have, Bears fans should feel great that Fields not only fell into Chicago’s lap but that he has turned into one of the best young quarterbacks in the league.