Bears QB Season Preview: Justin Fields, Trevor Siemian, Nathan Peterson |
We are anxiously awaiting the start of the NFL training camp. However, over the last several weeks, there hasn't been much NFL worth news to talk about apart from what has been happening with Baker Mayfield.
When it comes to the Bears, they have been extremely quiet but have found several players getting arrested this offseason. With training camp right around the corner, now is as good a time as ever to start looking at the positional previews for this upcoming season. Not only will we start with the offense, but with the most important unit on the field, which happens to be the QB position.
That said, there is no QB controversy for the first time in years as Justin Fields is the Bears man moving forward. Fields was thrown into the fire as a rookie and flashed plenty of bright spots throughout the year. However, he was also very shaky and threw more interceptions than touchdowns as the learning curve from the NCAA level to the NFL sometimes appeared too much for him. Many people feel Matt Nagy was a big reason for Fields' struggles hence why he looked better with Bill Lazor calling the plays. This season, Fields will have a new head coach and a new play-caller in Luke Getsy, who comes to Chicago from Green Bay. Given the success that Getsy has had working with Aaron Rodgers, the Bears are hopeful some of that success can translate over to Fields. No one will sit here and compare Fields to Rodgers, but you should see a drastic improvement in his consistency as a player this year. Not only do I see his completion approaching 60%, but Fields should throw for close to 4000 yards and have around 25 TDS. You also have to take in the running factor, as his legs will play a pivotal role in his success this season. Look for him to be among the league leaders in rushing yards by a QB, as he could be on the verge of breaking out in a big way. Unlike last season that saw the Bears employ Andy Dalton and Nick Foles as their backups, things will look different in 2022 as both of those men have moved on. However, that doesn't mean the Bears are in terrible shape as they signed two quality back up QBs that have had starter experience before.
At this point, the projected No. 2 QB behind Fields must be Trevor Siemian. Across his NFL career, Siemian has seen action in 33 games, 29 of which have come as starts in six seasons. During that time, he has thrown for just under 7000 yards with 41 TDS and 27 INT. Those numbers saw him land a two-year deal with Chicago as he will be counted on to step in for Fields should anything happen. The most recent success for Siemian came last season as part of the New Orleans Saints, where he made four starts and six appearances in which he threw for 1154 yards and 11 TDS. Hopefully, the Bears won't have to lean on him too much this season, but should they have to, he is more than capable of holding the fort down.
Behind Siemian, the Bears will also be bringing in another option as Nathan Peterman was signed to the roster in May. Since joining the NFL four years ago, Peterman has seen limited action during his time as he has appeared in a total of 10 games. Although his 573 yards isn't all that bad, his three touchdowns and 11 interceptions are not very good, and that has to be a concern for the Bears. Regardless of what happens this season, injuries are part of the game. No one wants to see Fields get hurt, but if he does go down by chance, the Bears are in much better hands than last season.Justin Fields
Trevor Siemian
Nathan Peterman
