The Chicago Bears have had a very active offseason ahead of a crucial third NFL season for quarterback Justin Fields.
Chicago general manager Ryan Poles — in his second offseason on the job — traded the No. 1 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft to the Carolina Panthers for a haul that included star wide receiver D.J. Moore, the No. 9 overall pick, the No. 61 overall pick, a first-round pick in 2024, and a second-round pick in 2025. Poles then used the No. 9 pick to select Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright, who will almost certainly be the Bears’ Week 1 starter at right tackle.
Additionally, Poles signed Nate Davis to be a starter at guard, signed D’Onta Foreman and drafted Roschon Johnson to join Khalil Herbert in an intriguing committee at running back, signed Robert Tonyan to form a solid tight end duo with Cole Kmet, and drafted Tyler Scott to join a wide receiver corps with Moore, Darnell Mooney, and Chase Claypool (acquired via trade during the 2022 NFL season).
On paper, this is very much an upgraded offense for a Bears team that finished with the NFL’s worst record in 2022.
In an interview with Larry Mayer of the Chicago Bears’ official website, Fields revealed excitement for what Poles has put together over the offseason.
Fields said, “I feel like we’ve got a lot of pieces on offense and defense.”
“Everybody’s excited [about] really just the whole team and the players we’ve got,” Fields added.
“I feel like we’ve got a lot of pieces on offense and defense,” Fields said in an exclusive interview with ChicagoBears.com. “I know everybody’s excited [about] really just the whole team and the players we’ve got. So [we’re] just going to keep working, keep stacking each and every day and get better.”
The former Ohio State quarterback is especially happy to have a true No. 1 wide receiver to throw to in Moore.
“I’ve known DJ for a little bit now,” Fields said. “I can tell he loves the game, he’s a hard-worker and, of course, he’s talented. He’s proven that over the past few years playing with the Panthers. So, it’s great to have him; another weapon to add to our offense. He’s going to bring a lot of energy, a lot of leadership to the room. Everybody’s excited to have him, so it’s going to be fun.”
“I think it’s important, being the quarterback, for me to build that camaraderie with everyone,” Fields said. “His first night here, I went out to eat with him and his family. That was cool to get to know him a little bit. We didn’t know each other that well at that point, but the more time we’ve spent with each other the more comfortable we’ve gotten around each other. He’s a great person and, of course, a great football player.”
Additionally, Fields says that players returning from the 2022 Bears are “way more comfortable this year with the playbook” of Luke Getsy, who enters his season year as Chicago’s offensive coordinator.
“I can tell the guys who were in the offense last year are way more comfortable this year with the playbook,” Fields said, “and focusing on the defense rather than just the little stuff with the offense because they know it, they know the foundation of it.”
So, it will be very interesting to see if Fields makes a big leap in the 2023 season. The pieces appear to finally be in place to allow him to have success.
