The Chicago Bears have two big decisions looming after the 2023 season ends. They must determine what to do with head coach Matt Eberflus and quarterback Justin Fields. Eberflus seems like the more open-and-shut case. He’s won six games in almost two years, his defense still gives up way too many points, and it’s evident he can’t teach his players how to finish games. Fields is a more complicated issue. He’s played three of his best games in his last four appearances. There is evidence to suggest he may have turned the corner after years of inconsistency.

Would the Bears keep him hoping a new coaching staff can finally build a structure that maximizes his potential?

Not at this point. Dan Graziano of ESPN provided an update on the Fields situation. While the Bears are happy with how he played Sunday in Detroit, it doesn’t appear to have been enough to sway GM Ryan Poles in any direction. The sense from Halas Hall is that if things maintain their current course, a change at quarterback is likely coming. Graziano even has a sense of who the newcomer would be.

“THE REMAINDER OF THE SEASON IS EFFECTIVELY AN AUDITION FOR FIELDS TO KEEP THE JOB. IF THE SEASON ENDED NOW AND THE BEARS HAD THE TOP PICK IN THE 2024 DRAFT — THEY’RE PROJECTED TO OWN IT, VIA THEIR MARCH TRADE WITH THE PANTHERS — MY BEST EDUCATED GUESS IS THEY’D TAKE USC QUARTERBACK CALEB WILLIAMS AND TRY TO FIND SOMEWHERE TO TRADE FIELDS. BUT IF FIELDS LIGHTS IT UP OVER THE NEXT TWO MONTHS AND SHOWS IMPROVEMENT IN THE AREAS IN WHICH THE BEARS WANT TO SEE IT, IT’S NOT OUT OF THE QUESTION HE COULD BE THEIR STARTER AGAIN.”

The Chicago Bears want to avoid another Cutler situation.

Everybody remembers the Jay Cutler era. There were always flashes of brilliance from the former quarterback. Unfortunately, they could never be sustained. The organization constantly made changes to the coaching staff, doing everything possible to find the formula that could get Cutler over the hump. They hired two different head coaches and four different offensive coordinators. It never worked. Poles doesn’t seem keen on repeating that. While Fields has played better, he still has troubling flaws. He still takes too many sacks, isn’t efficient on 3rd down, and tends to play his worst football in the 4th quarter.

People have their opinions about Caleb Williams. The fact is he’s been an above-average-to-excellent starter for three years. He has good accuracy, plenty of arm strength, and is at his best when improvising. If he is who the Chicago Bears covet, not many experts will criticize them for it. He’s been touted as a favorite to go #1 overall for two years. Of course, things can still change. Fields has six games left. A few more performances like the one in Detroit mind change minds.