Justin Fields: ‘The best is yet to come’

Justin Fields Chicago Bears

There’s no doubt the Chicago Bears got it right in the 2021 NFL Draft with the decision to trade up for quarterback Justin Fields in the first round. Sure, it cost them this year’s first-round pick — No. 7 overall — but with no clear franchise quarterback in April’s class, entering the 2022 season with Fields in tow is a huge win.

Fields enjoyed all the highs and lows that normally apply to a quarterback’s rookie season. His year was very similar to Buffalo Bills superstar Josh Allen’s rookie campaign, which should have Bears fans feeling pretty good about the future of their offense. They’ll feel even better about that future if the Bears hire Allen’s current offensive coordinator, Brian Daboll, to be Chicago’s next head coach.

But beyond the obvious talent Fields possesses on the field, his mental makeup and leadership off of it are what makes him a safe bet to be a long-time starter in the NFL. He took to social media on Monday to thank his family, friends, and teammates for sticking by him in 2021 and promised the best is yet to come.

Justin Fields Tweets best is yet to come:

Better days certainly do lie ahead for Fields, who finished his rookie season completing 58.9% of his passes for 1,870 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. With a new head coach and offensive philosophy that will build around his strengths as a passer and runner, Fields’ jump in production in 2022 should be massive.

He won’t require any development as a leader, however. He’s mature beyond his years in that department, as he proved (again) in that Tweet. His teammates have already bought in and it’ll be interesting to see how players around the league view the prospects of joining Fields in Chicago. We’ll certainly find out in free agency.

The Bears have their quarterback and their team leader. And it’s been quite a while since one player has served both of those roles in Chicago.

Bryan Perez

Bryan is the founder of Pro Football Draft. His work has been featured on The Draft Network, NBC Sports and USA Today. Former CFL scout.

Follow him on Twitter: @BryanPerezNFL