NEWSLETTER
Without a regular pre-draft schedule that includes the Scouting Combine, we’re starting to see players and schools double-up on Pro Days. And at the quarterback position, we’ve seen what two Pro Day workouts has done to help lift Mac Jones’ profile.
Today, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields had his second Pro Day at Ohio State. And you might have an interest in seeing who was in attendance:
Where will @justnfields go? 🤔#GoBuckeyes #DevelopedHere pic.twitter.com/cdeWra23rZ
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) April 14, 2021
In the top-left quadrant of the image above, you’ll see Chicago Bears Head Coach Matt Nagy with eyes on Justin Fields during one of his drills. You’ll also see representatives of the 49ers, Patriots, and Broncos in that photoset. But this isn’t about them. The Bears are in the building, and I sure as heck have that on my radar.
Fields is one of the premier prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Ohio State product was a Heisman Trophy finalist, second-team All-American, first-team All Big-Ten, and the conference’s Quarterback of the Year in 2019. A year later, Fields was just as excellent. He was once again a first-team all-conference performer, earning the Chicago Tribune’s Silver Football award. That trophy goes goes to the Big Ten’s top player. And Fields was certainly that in 2020. Fields finishing his career with an epic performance through a ribs injury to led the Buckeyes to the college football title game is no small task. All in all, Fields’ résumé is as legit as they come.
The Bears are rumored to have an interest in trading up to the Falcons spot at No. 4. And while it’ll take some heavy lifting to get to that point, it’s good that Nagy was in the building with a front-and-center view of Fields just in case it does get there.
Fields began the year as QB2 behind Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence. However, the emergence of Zach Wilson and Mac Jones has Fields possibly being taken outside of the top-3. It’s possible Fields can fall further down the quarterback pre-draft rankings if a team thinks more highly of Trey Lance’s upside. Perhaps all the noise surrounding other quarterbacks helps Fields fall into the Bears’ lap. Good thing the Bears are doing their due diligence just in case it happens.
