The Chicago Bears signaled how they feel about the status of Justin Fields, as the team made a move at the quarterback position Tuesday. As Fields deals with a right-hand injury, the Bears announced that they were making a move at quarterback.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Bears are signing veteran Trace McSorley to their practice squad.
Source: The #Bears are signing QB Trace McSorley to their practice squad.
McSorley heads to Chicago, who is currently dealing with Justin Fields’ injury. pic.twitter.com/o4axHxT9cl
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 17, 2023
The 28-year-old McSorley joins the Bears’ quarterback room, which already includes rookie Tyler Bagent and veteran Nathan Peterman. With Fields doubtful for Week 7, Bagent is expected to make his first NFL start, with Peterman backing him up.
The NFL world was quick to react to the news that Chicago brought in a new quarterback this week.
As if we needed any other confirmation that Justin Fields will not be active Sunday#DaBears https://t.co/r1h1GtckVC
— IESRChitown (@IesrC) October 17, 2023
Trace coming for Justin Fields’ job. https://t.co/yaNkATGJOd
— Dear Old State (@_DearOldState) October 17, 2023
#Bears signed Trace McSorley to the practice squad after a tryout that included 2 other quarterbacks: Notre Dame's Ian Book and Virginia's Bryce Perkins.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) October 17, 2023
I don't feel like this is something you do if you think Justin Fields is just out for 1 or 2 games. https://t.co/Yp19AUWVCG
— Bill Zimmerman (@BillTZimmerman) October 17, 2023
News like this doesn’t even surprise me anymore:.. https://t.co/nWu1XMSz9E
— Drunk Ryan Poles (@DrunkRyanPoles) October 17, 2023
Maybe I’m reading into this a bit much but can’t imagine that’s a great sign for the Justin Fields prognosis… #Bears https://t.co/e2eZs5jMcy
— Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) October 17, 2023
It’s unlikely that McSorley will be pushing Fields, Bagent or Peterman for the starting quarterback position, but he does provide insurance and some starter experience at that. McSorley has made one career start, which came last season with the Cardinals. He completed 24-of-45 pass attempts for 217 yards in a 19-16 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In nine career games, the Penn State product has completed 51.6 percent of his passes for 502 yards with one touchdown and five interceptions.
McSorley was most recently with the New England Patriots, who signed the veteran to a one-year deal this offseason. He was released on Aug. 28, 2023, and hadn’t found a new NFL home until Tuesday.
[Jordan Schultz on Twitter]
About Sam Neumann
Since the beginning of 2023, Sam has been a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. A 2021 graduate of Temple University, Sam is a Charlotte native, who currently calls Greenville, South Carolina his home. He also has a love/hate relationship with the New York Mets and Jets.