Video: Justin Fields Explains Unfollowing Bears Amid Caleb Williams, NFL Trade Rumors

Doric SamFebruary 21, 2024

John Fisher/Getty Images

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields raised some eyebrows when he unfollowed the team on Instagram recently, but his reasoning isn’t something serious.

During an appearance on the St. Brown Bros Podcast, Fields explained that he’s simply trying to get away from football as he starts his offseason with a vacation.

“I’m glad we’re talking about it, because why do people take social media so seriously? … I still mess with the Bears. I’m just trying to take a little break,” Fields said. “I unfollowed the Bears and the NFL. I’m not trying to just have football on my timeline.”

Adam Schefter @AdamSchefterJustin Fields reveals to the St. Brown brothers why he unfollowed the Bears on Instagram, via @The33rdTeamFB.

📹 https://t.co/PVuPFC1Ivd pic.twitter.com/b8zPSPDxMM

Despite his desire to get away from football, Fields is one of the most important players of the NFL offseason. The Bears hold the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft and have to decide whether they will keep Fields or move on from him to select USC quarterback Caleb Williams, who is widely regarded as a can’t-miss prospect.

In the latest mock draft, B/R’s NFL Scouting Department predicted that the Bears would trade back with the Washington Commanders, who own the No. 2 pick. In that scenario, the Commanders would select Williams and the Bears would select North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye, which would end Fields’ run in Chicago.

Understandably, the ongoing chatter about the Bears’ impending decision has irked Fields. The 2021 No. 11 pick has shown flashes of brilliance during his three-year career, but it might not be enough to keep him in Chicago. Fields went on to add that he has no animosity toward the team, but he’s grown weary of the constant speculation about his future.

“It’s not even like that. It’s something that I don’t want to see on my timeline,” he said. “I’m about to go on vacation. I don’t want to see no football. And guess what? It’s either ‘Keep Fields,’ ‘We want Fields’ or ‘Draft Caleb.’ Man, I’m tired of hearing the talk. I just want it to be over.”

Fields also said that his personal preference would be to stay put and continue his career with the only franchise he’s ever known.

The 33rd Team @The33rdTeamFB”I can’t see myself playing in another place”

If it was Justin Fields’ decision, he’d never leave Chicago 🐻 https://t.co/uA6hxbmdpl pic.twitter.com/r0gheezF4G

“Yeah, of course. Of course I want to stay. I can’t see myself playing in another place, but if it was up to me, I would want to stay in Chicago. I love the city. The city’s lit. The fans there, you know, they’re great,” he said. “… It’s a business I ain’t got no control over, so whatever happens, happens. But I feel like the biggest thing with all this going on right now, I just want it to be over. Like, just let me know if I’m being traded, let me know if I’m staying.”