The dreams were big for QB Justin Fields entering the 2023 season. Fields had finished 2022 with a bang, catching fire in Week 7 after a slow start for fantasy football. Of the last 12 weeks of 2022, Fields played nine games; of those nine games, he had seven games with over 20 fantasy points. He had over 40 fantasy points in two of those games and won leagues for managers that drafted him late. Fields finished as the QB6.
This year, Fields went earlier in drafts with managers hopeful that, with the addition of WR DJ Moore, Fields would grow more as a passer while continuing to use his legs and break those long runs he was so famous for last season. This has yet to happen. We are entering Week 4, and Fields is currently QB16, leading a putrid Bears offense, and has not put up more than 15 fantasy points in any week.
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Justin Fields Rest-of-Season Fantasy Outlook
The Bears were embarrassed in Week 3 against the Kansas City Chiefs, so looking to Week 4, managers think it can’t get worse than this. That might be true for this week’s matchup against the Denver Broncos, but what about the rest of the season?
Fields has been struggling in the passing game in Chicago — he has just over 500 passing yards, three TDs, and four INTs through three games. Whether this is Fields’ fault alone or a mix of coaching, it does not look to change soon.
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Fields himself blamed the coaching staff during a press conference for his “robotic plays.” He later backpedaled, saying, “I’m not blaming anything on the coaches; I’m never going to blame anything on the coaches. I’m never going to blame anything on my teammates. Whatever happens in the game, I will take all the blame.”
Justin Fields clarifies his comments from his press conference earlier pic.twitter.com/veLleoGbnV
— 79th & Halas Podcast (@79thAndHalas) September 20, 2023
Anyone who drafted Fields did not expect him to be a perfect pocket passer; it was the rushing upside that made him look so appealing. However, that has not been there either, and without that upside, it is challenging to start Fields, let alone keep him on your roster. Next week, the Bears play the Broncos, and Fields is QB12 in our PFN Consensus Rankings.
The Broncos are dead last in rushing yards allowed per game, so Fields has a chance for a decent fantasy day this week.
Should I Cut Fields?
Even with the possibility of a decent game this week in a good matchup, it is horrifying to start Fields. The Chicago offense is horrible, and suddenly, they look like they might be in the Caleb Williams sweepstakes.
If you must, you can start him this week. But after Week 4, you should move him to your bench and pick up someone like C.J. Stroud as a short-term replacement. I don’t think you should drop Fields just yet — remember, he took until Week 7 last year to figure it out. But if he doesn’t show any hope after a few weeks, cut your losses and move on.