Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields is a player that the football world has vastly varying opinions on.
Some see his flashy potential. Others see his disappointing performances and horrific record.
No matter how you slice it, Fields enters the 2023 season with high expectations. However, respected ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky has set the bar even higher for the young star, predicting “MVP-level football” from Fields in the upcoming season.
Orlovsky, speaking on First Take, praised Fields’ performance in the face of adversity during the 2022 season, where he played behind a struggling offensive line and with limited receiving options.
“Before the [2022] season, I said [Chicago] was the worst place for anyone to play quarterback,” Orlovsky stated. “It was a bottom-five skill group and a bottom-five offensive line. Justin Fields played good in the worst situation possible.”
Dan Orlovsky brings up some valid points on First Take when talking about why he thinks Justin Fields will play MVP caliber football.
Gimme your thoughts 👀 #DaBears #Bears pic.twitter.com/LnSIcG6HkE
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) July 31, 2023
The outlook for Fields has drastically improved in 2023. The Bears have added a key weapon to their offensive arsenal with the acquisition of wide receiver D.J. Moore, who Orlovsky believes is a “bonafide No. 1 wide receiver.”
Additionally, Chicago addressed their offensive line needs in the 2023 NFL draft by selecting Darnell Wright from Tennessee in the first round.
Orlovsky also emphasized the impact of continuity as Fields enters his second year under offensive coordinator Luke Getsy’s system.
“This system takes good quarterbacks and gets them to produce like really good quarterbacks,” Orlovsky remarked, highlighting the statistical improvement that quarterbacks typically experience in their second year in the system, with an average of 4,100 yards and 32 touchdowns.
Fields’ performance in the latter half of the 2022 season was especially notable, with 14 passing touchdowns, seven rushing touchdowns, and 949 rushing yards in his final ten games.
Orlovsky cautioned that the Bears overall performance would play a significant role in Fields’ MVP chances. Despite the individual talent, he expressed skepticism about Fields’ inclusion in the race due to potential team struggles.
Regardless, Orlovsky’s endorsement of Fields has generated excitement among Bears fans who have been craving for a true franchise quarterback forever.
What are your thoughts on Fields?
Will he indeed be a legitimate MVP contender this season?
Or do you think Orlovsky’s hype train is bound to go off the tracks?