Expand / Collapse search
Watch TV
Menu

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2024 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper.

Chicago Bears

Chris Simms admits he was wrong about Justin Fields

Former NFL quarterback and NBC Sports analyst Chris Simms is singing a different tune about Bears rookie quarterback Justin Fields these days

By Nick Geddes OutKick
Published
close
Fox News Flash top headlines for October 20 Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for October 20

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Former NFL quarterback and NBC Sports analyst Chris Simms is singing a different tune about Bears rookie quarterback Justin Fields these days.

Simms made headlines before the 2021 NFL Draft, when he had Fields as the fifth best quarterback in the draft class, despite Fields’ high level of play at Ohio State. Simms had Fields mocked for Tampa Bay at No. 32 in the first round, with Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Mac Jones, and Trey Lance all mocked in the top 10.

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields passes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields passes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks) ((AP Photo/David Banks))

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Now that he’s had a chance to see Fields play, Simms admits he was wrong on his original scouting report, as he said during the latest episode of Chris Simms Unbuttoned.

A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THE DIFFICULTIES OF NFL SHORT WEEKS

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, right, sacks Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Cleveland.

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, right, sacks Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

"I’m already feeling as far as all the quarterbacks in my rankings that I’m the most wrong about him (Fields)," Simms said. "I know I made him 5-6 to begin with and that’s the one I’m looking at."

Fields became the starter for Chicago in place of veteran Andy Dalton in Week 3 and has made steady improvement in every game. While his 53.5% completion rate with two touchdowns and three interceptions don’t jump off the page, he’s 2-2 as a starter and he hung in well against the Packers on Sunday.

Simms notably had Lance ranked ahead of Fields in his rankings, but now he says that Fields is clear of the 49ers gunslinger.

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Miami Dolphins in Chicago, Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Miami Dolphins in Chicago, Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

"To me, he’s light years ahead of Trey Lance right now," Simms said. "He’s not as raw. He knows how to play the position a little bit more rather than just being a great athlete who plays the position.

"And that’s what I like from him and of course he knows how to handle himself and do everything else the right way, too."