Dec 18, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) passes the ball in the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears
(New York, NY) – Justin Fields is entering his third year as an NFL player, which is typically looked at as a “make or break” season for many, as they become further acclimated to the professional ranks.
He’s flashed his high-end potential, especially as a runner, and recently ranked himself in the top five all time – among rushing QBs.
That doesn’t sit well with prominent sports talker Colin Cowherd, however.
On his Fox Sports Radio program this week, Cowherd claimed that, “right now, Justin Fields is a bust. He’s 5-20. He’s a YouTube quarterback. His highlights are great.”
And that last point is certainly true, as Fields has dazzled in some moments, flashing speed and impressive vision as a runner of the football. But his passing stats are largely pedestrian, with a 24-21 TD to interception ratio, a completion percentage below 60%, and a passer rating of just 79.7. Those deficiencies are where Cowherd focused his criticism:
“I know Chicago will go crazy but right now Justin Fields… (is) 5-20 with a ten-game losing streak, and with a passer rating in the 70s. Last year was he not easily the worst quarterback in that division? Wasn’t Aaron (Rodgers), wasn’t (Jared) Goff, wasn’t Kirk Cousins.”
Cowherd also said he thinks Fields has a big ego and lacks awareness. He compared that to the Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes, a two-time Super Bowl champion and MVP. Cowherd opined that Mahomes’ is confident, but also low ego. In terms of ranking rushing QBs, Cowherd was unwilling to put Fields in the upper echelon, instead focusing on names like Cam Newton, Lamar Jackson, Steve Young, Michael Vick, and Russell Wilson.
“For years and years when I criticized Baker Mayfield, many of you confused ‘ego’ for ‘confidence’. I thought Baker had too much ego. I thought Johnny Manziel had too much ego. You say ‘I LOVE MY QUARTERBACK TO BE CONFIDENT!’ Mahomes is, but he has self-awareness. Brady, Peyton Manning, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson—they have confidence, I don’t see their ego.”
Cowherd went on to say that while he was 60/40 in terms of leaning toward Fields being a success overall, he’s knocked that down to 55/45 – and he claims its because Fields may lack the self awareness needed for a long, successful career.
