While fans are expected to get some clarity on Chicago’s QB plans in the coming weeks, it’s safe to say people in the Windy City are a bit on edge. They are looking for answers to their lingering quarterback questions — and that includes doing detective work on Fields’ social media activity.
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Fields has been involved in trade rumors all offseason, and fans are desperately trying to find hints about his future. Now, Bears faithful have gotten themselves worked up over a perceived slight from the 24-year-old QB on his Instagram.
Did a possible change in Fields’ Instagram following give an answer to his future? Here is what fans need to know about it and the trade rumors swirling around the quarterback.
Did Justin Fields unfollow Bears on Instagram?
Bears fans went into a frenzy Monday night when someone pointed out the fact that Fields is not currently following the team on Instagram.
After the sleuthing by the fans revealed the social media switch-up, Fields went on the St. Brown brothers’ podcast. During the interview, he admitted that he unfollowed the Bears on social media, but it’s not for the reason fans think.
“I’m glad we’re talking about it because why do people take social media so seriously?” Fields said. “I still mess with the Bears, I’m just trying to take a little break. I unfollowed the Bears and the NFL. I’m not just trying to have football on my timeline … just because you don’t follow the girl on [Instagram] doesn’t mean you’re not messing with her.”
Fields was constantly seeing discussions and comparisons of himself and Caleb Williams, the USC quarterback who the Bears could potentially draft with the No. 1 pick. With the offseason in full swing, Fields simply wanted a break from seeing all of the discourse surrounding him and Chicago.
“I’m about to go on vacation, I don’t want to see no football,” Fields said. “It’s either, ‘keep Fields, we want Fields’ or it’s ‘draft Caleb.’ Man, I’m tired of hearing the talk.”
Justin Fields trade rumors
Fields has been in trade rumors dating back to last season. The first-round pick from 2021 has enjoyed an up-and-down start to his NFL career, showcasing an elite ability to make an impact with his legs, but an inconsistency through the air, albeit playing behind a dreadful offensive line.
During the Senior Bowl in Alabama, the Bears reportedly got “inquiries” on Fields from other teams, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. Chicago is not actively shopping Fields yet, per Breer, but are in the process of gauging his value on the trade market.
Fields made 13 starts during his 2023 campaign, in which he completed 61.4 percent of his passes for 2,562 yards and 16 touchdowns against nine interceptions.
He also added 657 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground, a far drop off from his 2022 season that saw him lead all quarterbacks in rushing yards with 1,143 and eight TDs.
While the play on the field is a factor, the impressive quarterback talent in the 2024 draft class is more the reason why Fields could be moved.
Chicago owns the No. 1 pick this summer, thanks to last year’s trade with the Panthers to give Carolina the top overall selection in 2023. Williams, a standout at USC where he won the 2023 Heisman Trophy, is regarded as a generational prospect at quarterback, making him an enticing option to go first overall.
The Bears are set to meet over the next two weeks and will make a decision before the scouting combine begins the last week of February in Indianapolis, according to Breer.
“Now, the Bears love Fields as a person, and really like him as a player, so I would say that whatever they do in the next few weeks will be with respect to a guy who gave them a lot, physically and otherwise, over the last three years,” Breer wrote.
“But I think the reality, for Chicago, will be that the talent of Caleb Williams plus the chance to reset the quarterback-on-a-rookie-contract clock will be too much for Chicago to pass on. We’ll see.”
