The place would Bears’ Justin Fields rank amongst 2023 quarterback class?

The Chicago Bears have the No. 1 decide within the 2023 NFL draft, which places them in a primary place to commerce again and purchase further compensation.

However there are some who imagine the Bears ought to keep put at first total and choose a quarterback. By no means thoughts the truth that Justin Fields is coming off a formidable season, the place he emerged as one of many league’s most electrifying gamers regardless of having nothing round him on offense.

There’s been no indication that Chicago is even contemplating deciding on a quarterback. The truth is, GM Ryan Poles mentioned he’d need to be “completely blown away” for that to occur.

When taking a look at this 12 months’s quarterback class — Alabama’s Bryce Younger, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud and Kentucky’s Will Levis — would any of them match the invoice?

In keeping with ESPN draft knowledgeable Mel Kiper, they wouldn’t rank increased than Fields if he have been in the identical draft class.

“He’d be primary,” Kiper said on ESPN 1000’s Waddle & Silvy.

Fields is coming off a formidable second season, the place he emerged as one the league’s greatest cell quarterbacks. Fields made opposing defenses pay along with his elite pace and athleticism. He rushed for 1,143 yards on the 12 months, falling simply 64 yards shy of Lamar Jackson’s single-season speeding document.

Certain, Fields has some work to do by way of the passing recreation, as each Poles and Fields admitted. However the Bears have seen sufficient from Fields to maneuver ahead with him as their franchise QB.

“I had Justin [Fields] proper behind Trevor Lawrence,” Kiper mentioned. “I like Justin Fields popping out now. His passing and all of the issues we all know need to be improved upon. He is aware of that they bought to get higher gamers round him. However, as a dual-threat quarterback who brings that nice ability set and could be an elite quarterback. He’s proven that. He’s made the strides he’s developed and he’s progressed.

“So I might say they bought to really feel fairly good the place they’re.”