It’s a new age in Chicago. The Bears have moved on from Justin Fields this spring, and expectations are sky-high following a spate of major moves in the winter. They now have Caleb Williams at the helm, and Bears fans are more optimistic about the future than they have in a long time.
Even though Bears supporters are relieved to be starting a new era without Justin Fields, some believe he was unfairly mistreated. Former Chicago Bears cornerback Davontae Harris is among them. During an appearance on the Bring The Juice podcast, the 29-year-old defender stated that the Bears did not want to win with Fields, making it impossible for the gifted quarterback to flourish.
“Justin’s one of the most down to earth people in the world. The job was never not his. I think it’s a matter of what he makes it, and I’ve been around him. He’s gonna turn it into an opportunity. [With the Steelers] he can be a star. Obviously, in Chicago he could too, but when I was in Chicago, they were playing to lose. When they’re playing to lose, it doesn’t matter what you do.””
Harris spent part of the 2022 season on the Bears practice squad. He didn’t make an appearance for the team but he is not entirely wrong in his evaluation of the situation.
Yes, Fields went 10-28 as a starter in Chicago but he was never put in a position to succeed. Matt Nagy was still in charge, his best wide receiver was Darnell Mooney, and he had one of the worst offensive lines in the league. Then, the team was the youngest roster in the league as the Bears decided to rebuild with Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus. There simply wasn’t enough talent around him to succeed.
Does this free Fields of any responsibility? Of course not. However, it is safe to assume that he was not given the same offensive environment that Caleb Williams will have in his rookie year. Fields was a letdown in Chicago, but it was not all his fault. Let’s see if he can turn things around for Pittsburgh next season.
