(AP) — LAKE FOREST, Ill. For the time being, Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields’ uncertain future is apparent to him.
Fields wants to win the season, help the Bears keep the Green Bay Packers out of the playoffs, and then worry about whether he’ll be back with his present team next season.
“I think it’d be great,” Fields says. “We know Green Bay is playing for a lot, and we know what’s at stake.” They’re fighting for a playoff berth right now, so I just think it would be a terrific feeling to close the season with a win in Lambeau up there.
“We’re just going to take it day by day, worry about the rest of today and tomorrow, and of course leading up to Sunday get ready to play ball.”
Fields didn’t mind igniting the rivalry a little more.
“It’s going to be a fun environment to walk into their home field,” Fields went on to say. “I know their fans are going to be loud because there’s not much to do in Green Bay except watch football, but it’s going to be a great environment to us, for us to play in and hopefully have a great game and get the W on Sunday.”
The Bears have now lost nine consecutive games versus the Packers, including five straight with Fields at the helm. Getting his first win over them might give the Bears another reason to keep him as the starter after this season rather than using the top selection in the draft on a quarterback.
Fields isn’t talking much about the draft or his future, but he did mention what a strong finish would mean for the Bears. It would give them six wins in eight games to conclude the season, paving the door for a strong 2024 campaign.
Last season, the Detroit Lions did something similar, winning eight of ten games. They defeated the Packers in the regular-season finale and went on to win the division title this season.
“We want to win every game, no matter if it’s against the Deerfield Park Whatever Team or the Green Bay Packers,” Fields said in a statement. “When we step on the field, we want to win the game.”
Fields has five touchdowns and three interceptions since returning from a four-game layoff due to a dislocated thumb on Nov. 19. The Bears have won four of his six games since returning from injury, including a victory over the Detroit Lions.
Teammates have spoken out, urging GM Ryan Poles and coach Matt Eberflus to maintain Fields as the starting quarterback next season.
