Dec 24, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA;  Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) runs with the ball against the Buffalo Bills at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

Bears GM: Justin Fields is starting QB ‘right now’

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles said Tuesday that the plan “right now” is for Justin Fields to be the team’s starting quarterback in 2023.

Poles made the comments from the NFL Scouting Combine, one day after reports surfaced that the Bears would shop the No. 1 overall pick this week. But Poles added that he needs to remain faithful to the process of looking at every draft option – including the QBs.

“I think that’s always been the case, we’ve always leaned that way,” Poles said Tuesday about shopping the No. 1 pick. “Because Justin did some really nice things and I’m really excited about where his game is going to go.

“But at the same time, when you sit in our situation, No. 1 overall, you have to do your due diligence. You have to investigate everything. You have to spend time with those guys, just to make sure we’re making the right decision,” he added.

Poles was asked directly if Fields would be the Bears’ starter next season.

“That’s the plan right now. We’re going to do our homework on this class,” Poles said.

Head coach Matt Eberflus said the Bears are still evaluating “everything” but praised Fields’ play last season and his drive to improve.

“All options are open,” Eberflus said. “Right now we leave everything open, and look at all options.”

Eberflus said Fields is focused on improving as a passer.

“The big thing we’ve talked about with him — let’s just take what the defensive gives you, and then move on,” Eberflus said Tuesday.

Playing it cagey allows Poles to potentially drive up the price on trading out of the top pick. And suitors are lining up.

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young and Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud are expected targets of the Indianapolis Colts, who would like to move up from No. 4 to avoid losing out on an elite passer. The Houston Texans own the No. 2 pick and are also in the QB market, as are a number of teams with selections in the top 10 who could be willing trade matches when Poles begins comparing offers.

Poles said “starter conversations” have taken place.

“Nothing specific about players, picks and all that. It’s just interest,” he said.

–Field Level Media

Nov 27, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Nathan Peterman (14) gets ready to start the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Wexler-USA TODAY Sports

Bears’ Justin Fields out, Nathan Peterman to start vs. Vikings

The Chicago Bears will turn to Nathan Peterman to start the team’s season finale this weekend with fellow quarterback Justin Fields nursing a sore hip, coach Matt Eberflus said Wednesday.

“Justin Fields came in on Monday morning with a sore hip, which many times happens to players when they come in with soreness that they didn’t anticipate to be like that. So we sent him to get an MRI on his hip, and that showed he had a strain,” Eberflus said. “He’s not going to be a full speed this week and the medical staff has ruled him out for this week. This is not a long-term injury, just so we know that.”

Eberflus said the Bears’ place in the standings didn’t play a role in the decision — and that Fields still would be spectator on Sunday if it were a playoff game.

As it stands, Chicago has long since been eliminated from postseason contention. The Bears (3-13) have lost nine in a row heading into Sunday’s game against the visiting Minnesota Vikings (12-4).

Fields, 23, has completed 60.4 percent of his passes for 2,242 yards, with 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 15 games this season. He also leads the team in rushing yards (1,143) and rushing touchdowns (eight).

Peterman, 28, has completed 3 of 6 passes for 25 yards and an interception in two games this season.

He has completed just 52.5 percent of his passes for 598 yards and three touchdowns, with 13 interceptions in 12 career games with the Buffalo Bills, Las Vegas Raiders and Bears.

–Field Level Media

Dec 4, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) looks to pass in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

Bears QB Justin Fields (illness) to sit out practice

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields will not participate in Wednesday’s practice due to illness, coach Matt Eberflus announced.

Eberflus noted Fields is considered day-to-day in regard to his status for Sunday’s game against the visiting Philadelphia Eagles (12-1).

Trevor Siemian started in place of Fields earlier this season with the latter sitting out due to a left shoulder injury. Siemian, however, is on injured reserve, leaving Nathan Peterman and Tim Boyle as potential options should Fields be unable to play for the Bears (3-10) on Sunday.

Fields, 23, has completed 61.7 percent of his passes for 1,896 yards, with 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 12 games this season. He also leads the team in rushing yards (905) and rushing touchdowns (eight).

–Field Level Media

Nov 20, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) runs with the ball against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Bears’ Justin Fields inactive, Trevor Siemian to start vs. Jets

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields was listed as inactive for Sunday’s game against the host New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J.

Trevor Siemian, who has thrown one pass this season, will get the starting nod versus the Jets (6-4). Nathan Peterman will serve as the backup for the Bears (3-8), who have lost four in a row.

Fields is nursing an injury to his non-throwing (left) shoulder sustained in last Sunday’s 27-24 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

Fields has passed for 1,642 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 11 games this season. He has scored seven touchdowns on the ground and ranks sixth in the NFL with 834 rushing yards.

In addition to Fields, defensive backs Jaquan Brisker and Kyler Gordon, wide receiver N’Keal Harry, offensive linemen Alex Leatherwood and Ja’Tyre Carter as well as linebacker Sterling Weatherford were listed as inactive.

The Jets listed the following players as inactive: quarterback Zach Wilson, running back James Robinson, defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins, safety Tony Adams, wide receiver Jeff Smith, tight end Kenny Yeboah and cornerback Bryce Hall.

–Field Level Media

Nov 20, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) walks off the field with medical personnel after a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Bears QB Justin Fields to have MRI on shoulder

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields will have an MRI on his left shoulder Monday, NFL Network reported.

He sustained the injury to his non-throwing shoulder on Sunday but played every snap in a 27-24 loss at Atlanta.

“The pain right now is pretty bad,” Fields said after the game.

Fields completed 14 of 21 passes for 153 yards with one touchdown and one interception and rushed 18 times for 85 yards and a score against the Falcons.

In his second NFL season, the 23-year-old Fields has thrown for 1,642 yards and 13 touchdowns with eight interceptions. He has run for 834 yards and seven scores in 11 starts for the Bears (3-8).

Chicago visits the New York Jets (6-4) on Sunday before hosting the Packers on Dec. 4, followed by their bye week.

Trevor Siemian, 30, is the No. 2 quarterback for the Bears. He has completed the only pass he attempted this season, a five-yarder at Dallas on Oct. 30.

–Field Level Media

Nov 6, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) rushes the ball for a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

Bears’ Justin Fields breaks NFL QB rushing record

Chicago’s Justin Fields broke the NFL single-game rushing record for a quarterback during the Bears’ 35-32 loss at Miami on Sunday.

Fields ran for 178 yards on 15 carries, including a 61-yard touchdown, to eclipse the regular-season record of 173 yards established by the Atlanta Falcons’ Michael Vick on Dec. 1, 2002 at Minnesota.

Fields completed 17 of 28 passes for 123 yards and three touchdowns, but the Bears (3-6) lost for the fifth time in six games.

Fields, 23, has rushed for 602 yards and four touchdowns and passed for 1,322 yards and 10 scores through nine starts in his second season. The Bears drafted him No. 11 overall in 2021.

–Field Level Media

Green Bay Packers linebacker Preston Smith (91) sacks Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) during their football game on Sunday, September 18, 2022 at Lambeau Field. in Green Bay, Wis. Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

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Bears QB Justin Fields: ‘I respect every fan that we have’

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields attempted to mend fences with the team’s fans on Wednesday, three days after he came under fire for downplaying their investment in wins and losses.

“It hurts more in the locker room than for Bears fans. They aren’t putting in any work,” Fields said Sunday night following the Bears’ 27-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

With a few days to reflect, Fields said he didn’t intend to offend the fans.

“I should have done a better job explaining what I meant by that,” Fields said Wednesday.

The second-year pro said he was frustrated with the team’s first loss of the season.

“I respect every fan that we have,” Fields said Wednesday. “I’m glad that we have fans. I would never disrespect anybody on what they do or what they love to do.”

Fields, 23, has completed 15 of 28 passes for just 191 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in two games this season.

He has completed 174 of 298 passes for 2,061 yards with nine touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 14 games since being selected by the Bears with the 11th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media