I didn't talk to a single soul in Mobile who believed that Justin Fields would remain a Chicago Bear, and considering many of you were asking about the former Ohio State star as a potential answer at quarterback for the Patriots, I wanted to do some digging.
The stats don't paint a flattering picture of him as a passer. Despite having 40 career starts and 958 attempts, his mechanics remain a work in progress (he had an overhaul after year one in the league), and he struggled with concepts that forced him to work through his progressions quickly (a staple of new Bears OC Shane Waldron's offense). Fields' athleticism and big arm led to longer developing plays, and he had some success throwing off play action. To this point in his tenure, moving outside the pocket remains where he looks most comfortable, throwing the ball with authority. It also gives Fields the option to eat up large parcels of space with his legs, as he is one of the best-running QBs in the league. But that skillset has also led the 24-year-old (he'll be 25 in March) to bail out of the pocket even when there is no or limited pressure. That caused some frustration internally, per a team source, especially in this most recent season.
GM Ryan Poles, armed with the number one overall pick for a second year in a row (they traded out of it last season), was asked what would make this decision different than the one he made in 2023.
"Want to say I need to be blown away...just seeing the things that Justin did this year, his ability to make plays...keeping his eyes down the field, taking less sacks," he said. "You see a lot of growth there where he can continue to get better. Someone needs to show that they - and it's not just the film, it's the person - there's a whole process here we have to figure out."
Fields has dealt with two offensive coordinators in three years, spending his first season under Bill Lazor (Matt Nagy's offense) and then Luke Getsy the last two campaigns before Getsy was fired (he interviewed for the Pats' OC vacancy). Head coach Matt Eberflus cited the lack of offensive development and innovation as reasons for the dismissal. So whether Fields survives in Chicago or is eventually traded, he's headed for another new coach, terminology, and perhaps a new system. It's not ideal for any QB, especially the young ones still developing.
"It's a tough spot for him (Fields) to be in," one front office exec told me, "but if you believe in the talent - and he has plenty, I understand why teams would remain interested. He's had more success than Sam Darnold, and how many chances has Sam had?"
Point taken, however, here's my preference...
KEEP AN EYE ON THE PIED PIPER
I'm already on record saying that the Pats should take a quarterback at #3 overall if they believe he's a franchise player. But that shouldn't preclude them from adding a veteran to the room, and based on the recent hiring of Alex Van Pelt, one name to keep an eye on is Jacoby Brissett.
He is a free-agent-to-be after signing a one-year, $8-million deal with the Commanders. Brissett's previous stop was - wait for it - Cleveland, where he had to step in for Deshaun Watson in 2022. In an interview in November of that year, Alex Van Pelt was praised for the QB's growth.
On how Brissett has progressed since the first game this season:
"I think he has been outstanding for us. I know he has had some tough turnovers in some spots that he would like to have back, but he is playing at a high level for us. Right now, I thought his game last week was exceptional. He is just consistent. Just putting that together each week and finding a way to hold onto that ball in a bad pocket, which happens occasionally. Really proud of the way he has stepped up. Really proud of the way he has led this team. That is another thing that doesn't get talked about enough. He is very vocal, he is a strong leader, and guys follow him. It has been outstanding."
On if there are certain elements where Brissett has significantly improved since Week 1:
"I really just can't put it in one area. His whole game has really stepped up. You go all of the way back to the beginning when we started the footwork and the whole transition into this system; from where he has come from there until now, he has made great strides."
On the Browns' decision for Brissett to be the backup to QB Deshaun Watson after the suspension ends, given how well Brissett has played this season:
"It is a good-bad decision. It is tough, but it is good. We are going to have two really good players that we feel comfortable we can win a lot of games with."
To me (and I said this weeks ago), Brissett is the perfect fit to return to New England, where he started his career as a third-round draft pick in 2016. For starters, he is capable of starting a bunch of games for you if need be, whether that's because the pick isn't ready to play yet or is injured. He's well-liked and respected in the locker room, a terrific leader - hence the Pied Piper nickname from years ago - and wouldn't have an issue assisting in the growth of a younger player.
Here's Brissett after starter Sam Howell was benched for Jacoby late this past season (Brissett hurt his hamstring in practice and couldn't play).
"I told him, 'This is going to be the hardest part of your career right now. It's going to feel like you're in this by yourself. It's snowballing. It's one thing after another, it's one thing after another,'" Brissett said at his postgame press conference. "But I know from being in this league, man, the good ones find a way to get to the other side. No matter how long it takes, how hard it is. You surround yourself with good people. I hope he leans on me as one of those good people that will help him get through this because I know I will."
A few days later, Howell expressed his thanks for Brissett's support.
"He's always had my back and told me he'll always have it. He's been a really good teammate, really good friend for me. I couldn't imagine a better person to have beside me than him."
KEEPING THE BAND TOGETHER
Smart business from the Houston Texans this past week, working quickly to give Bobby Slowik a sizeable raise. The first-year offensive coordinator had been making the rounds on the head coaching circuit, interviewing in Atlanta, Carolina, Seattle, and Washington.
Slowik oversaw a resurgent performance from the Texans, finishing 12th in total yards and 13th in points scored. But it was his work developing C.J. Stroud that drew the most praise. There's no arguing Stroud's talent - he was the 2nd overall pick - but with Slowik holding his hand, the kid threw for over 4100 yards, 23 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. It's one of the best showings by a rookie signal caller from start to finish we've ever seen. Considering how several high picks at the position have flopped to this point - Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, and Mac Jones - and even the 1st overall choice this past year, Bryce Young, it's noteworthy that the Texans were able to create and foster such a great environment for their perspective franchise QB.
It's also noteworthy that GM Nick Caserio (remember him?) convinced quarterback coach Jerrod Johnson to stay, as he was also in demand, speaking with several teams about their vacant offensive coordinator roles (including the Pats). Johnson was like the ying to Slowik's yang. In talking to league sources, the feeling is it might have been a year too soon for Johnson, but that he'll be right back in the mix next season for these jobs and that he's not only a front-runner for OC gigs but a future head coach. Assuming DeMeco Ryans can manage egos in the offensive meeting rooms, the Texans appear set up for an even bigger year in 2024-25, with five picks in the first four rounds.
BLOWN OPPORTUNITY
Dan Campbell was in the crosshairs following Championship Sunday for his fourth-down decisions. That let Todd Monken off the hook. The Ravens' offensive coordinator, who had done a great job modernizing Baltimore's attack in his first year coaching Lamar Jackson, decided that instead of trying to jam the ball down the Chief's throat, he'd attack them through the air. Umm, KC only has one of the best secondaries in the game and had just been gashed on the ground repeatedly by the Bills the week prior. Instead, Monken had the Ravens line up in 11 personnel for most of the game, despite having Mark Andrews back from injury and Isaiah Likely blowing up over the second half of the season. That wasn't the right decision, and combined with three turnovers and a handful of idiotic penalties, doomed this team to fail on their most significant stage of the season. John Harbaugh and Monken need to sit down this offseason, talk that through, and take an even deeper dive into the Chief's defense, which will have many of the same pieces in the future, especially in the defensive backfield. Like it or not, the road will continue to go through KC.
While I'm on the topic of the Ravens, they're facing some severe brain drain. Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald is now the head coach in Seattle and will likely pluck a piece or three off the current Baltimore coaching staff. In addition, DB coach Dennard Wilson is now the new DC for the Tennessee Titans. He'll probably want to take someone with him, too, never mind free agents like Patrick Queen and Geno Stone, to help implement the system.
Then there's the front office. Joe Hortiz left to be the new GM of the Chargers (he should have been interviewed in New England), and he and his new team will compete with many of the same defenders that Baltimore and now Seattle will pursue scheme-wise. The defections will make this a great challenge for Harbaugh and GM Eric DeCosta to keep the program rolling. Of course, it certainly helps to have Lamar, Zay Flowers, Kyle Hamilton, Tyler Linderbaum, etc. As we know, talent matters and the Ravens have plenty of it.