Justin Fields wants to stay with Bears, but ‘it’s a business’،
CHICAGO — Quarterback Justin Fields said his decision to unfollow the Chicago Bears on Instagram was nothing more than him needing a break from social media this offseason.
Appearing on the “St. Brown Brothers” podcast, Fields clarified that he doesn't follow the Bears and NFL account after discovering Monday that the quarterback no longer follows his team on Instagram.
“Why do people take social media so seriously?” Fields said. “I'm still playing with the Bears, this and that. I'm just trying to take a little break. I stopped following the Bears and the NFL. I'm not just trying to get football on my schedule.
“It's something I don't want to see on my timeline. I'm about to go on vacation. I don't want to watch football. And guess what? [The social media discourse is] either keep Fields, we want Fields. It's either draft Caleb [Williams]. I'm tired of hearing the speech. I just want it to be over. »
The Bears own the top pick in April's draft and face a monumental decision at quarterback. Fields, 24, just finished his third season in Chicago and has been the subject of intense debate for months over whether the Bears should stick with the quarterback and build around him or use the first pick in the draft on a rookie quarterback, with USC's Williams, the consensus top prospect, at the center of the discussion.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles acknowledged the franchise was considering all options at quarterback in 2024. “I thought Justin had improved,” Poles said in January. “I think he can lead this team. But at the same time, there's a unique situation that I have to look at, and our staff has to look at everything, and that's exactly what we're going to do.”
When asked by Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown if he wanted to stay in Chicago, Fields reiterated his desire to play for the Bears.
“Yeah, sure. Of course I want to stay,” Fields said. “I can't see myself playing anywhere else. But if it were up to me, I would stay in Chicago. I love the city. The city is lit. The fans are great, and the people. It's a business. “I have no control over that; whatever happens, happens. I think the most important thing about everything that's happening right now is that I just want it to be over. Like, let me know if I get traded, let me know if I stay, this and that.
Fields, a Georgia native, was also asked about his thoughts on the Atlanta Falcons, a team that also has a quarterback decision to make this offseason and has been linked to the Bears quarterback as a possible trade destination .
“Atlanta would be tough,” Fields said. “The only downside to going home is people calling my phone [up] crazy for wanting tickets to the game. But I think they have a lot of playmakers in the team: of course Bijan [Robinson]; they have my boy Kyle [Pitts]; and then of course, Drake [London], Also. They probably need an extra receiver, but they definitely have a few guys there, and their defense has been good this year too. »
