Fields’ Fantasy Stock is on Fire, Claypool’s Climb, Roquan Says Goodbye, and Other Bears Bullets

bears qb Justin Fields

Today is mid-term Election Day in the United States. And the Chicago Bears are doing their part to spread the word:

I was once apathetic to the voting process, but have since changed my tune. But I guess this is growing up (Michael: I see the subtle Bling-182 reference, Luis).

  • While we’re in the voting spirit today, we might as well nudge:
  • A fun little factoid: FIelds is one of two Bears players on pace for a 1,000-yard rushing season. Chicago’s QB1 is on a 17-game pace for 172 carries, 1,137 rushing yards, and 8 touchdowns. And if you take his numbers since the mini-bye, we’re looking at a 210-carry, 1,813-yard, 17-touchdown season. Fields is rolling. And I hope he is on your fantasy team. Unless you’re playing me. In that case, trade him to me now!
  • Speaking of trades, Roquan Smith made his Ravens debut on Monday Night Football in Baltimore’s 27-13 win against the New Orleans Saints. Before the game, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport shared Roquan’s farewell letter to Chicago:
  • Dick Butkus (who knows why), the McCaskey family, Ryan Pace (he drafted Roquan in 2018), coaches, trainers, cafeteria staffers, teammates, and fans all got shout-outs from Roquan. Everyone got a name-check in Smith’s swan song — except Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus. Awkward.
  • On the one hand, I’ll admit it took time for me to adjust to seeing Smith play elsewhere. Between the new team, new colors, and the No. 18, there are a lot of changes to consider. Frankly, the No. 18 just doesn’t look right on linebackers. Give me linebackers with numbers in the 50s or single digits. Numbers in the teens are reserved for speedy receivers and quarterbacks. Full stop.
  • But on the other hand, I’ve been looking forward to the Bears turning their attention to prioritizing building on the offensive side of the ball. So I was really at peace seeing Smith on another squad. Part of me will miss Roquan’s presence on the defense. Knowing Smith was there in the middle was like coming home after a long day at the office knowing that your favorite couch groove was there. But at some point, the couch gets old. And you’re going to get a new one. It’ll feel different. It might even take some time to get used to. But it’ll be better for you in the long run.
  • As is often the case with breakups, this is probably what is best for both parties. Even though Smith came out of the game with just five total tackles (2 solo), it was evident how much more comfortable he was playing in a 3-4 defense than he was in Eberflus’ scheme. This isn’t to say there wasn’t a positional fit from a schematic perspective. But Smith’s fit looks to be better in the Ravens’ defense than in the Bears’ system. Hey, not every system works for every player. Get in where you fit in, as they say.
  • Ah, yes, new guys in the system. That provides a smooth transition into us talking about Chase Claypool, who says he is “excited” about his future with this new-look Bears offense. Can’t say I blame him. (NBCS Chicago)
  • Claypool caught just 2 passes for 13 yards in his Bears debut. He also had a 4-yard gain on the ground. Additionally, Claypool drew one pass interference penalty that extended a drive (and should’ve drawn another had the official deep down the left sideline been watching the game in front of him). Claypool was in on just 26 offensive snaps, or just 35 percent. That would represent a season-low for a player who had been in on at least 80 percent of his team’s offensive snaps in all but one game prior to his Bears debut. It might take some time to get Claypool going, but I’d still like to see him on the field using his body as a run blocker while also deploying his physicality both as a rusher and pass catcher. That guy runs hard and violently. There must be ways to get him involved without him needing to know the entirety of the playbook.
  • I was listening to this in the car yesterday and marveled when Trent Dilfer compared Justin Fields to a muscle car. Can’t remember the last time I felt an analyst nailed an off-the-wall comp like that one. Fields isn’t just fast. He is a powerful runner who rumbles as much as he glides. It is a beautiful thing to watch in the open field. So, yeah, give this a watch:
  • Love the imagery attached to comparing Lamar Jackson to a sports car and Fields to a muscle car that Dilfer uses in the interview with 670 The Score’s Parkins and Spiegel show. It makes sense. And the best part is that we don’t have to choose one over the other. We can enjoy both. Frankly, I just enjoy having a quarterback who isn’t a 92 Ford Escort.
  • Fields is literally built different:
  • This quote from Eberflus warms my heart on a chilly fall day:
  • What’s crazy about this quote is that I could’ve sworn we’ve heard Matt Nagy talk about the quarterback in this way. But the difference between Old Matt and New Matt is that Nagy was all talk and that Eberflus (to this point) is all about that action. Actions speak louder than words, after all.
  • I am howling at the “he didn’t take the coaching” line:
  • Fields’ emergence isn’t an overnight sensation. He has been trending this way for weeks now. And if you’re a regular reader of these Bullets, then you know this:
  • This is where the fun begins as we start tracking Senior Bowl prospects we’ll be obsessing over this winter and throughout the pre-draft process:
  • Aaron Rodgers is so broken right now:
  • In case you’re curious, just 26 days until the Bears and Packers play again.
  • What a wild tweet:
  • Good to see the Cubs being proactive in reaching out in the early stages of free agency. I hope they strike quickly to upgrade their rotation:
  • It is always nice to see the Bulls in the win column:
  • Blackhawks prospect watch continues:
  • written by

    Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

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