Evaluating the 2021 NFL Draft QB Class: Hits and Misses 🤔

Here’s the Quick -n- Dirrty..

• The 2021 NFL draft had several quarterbacks drafted early, but so far only Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields look to have promising futures as franchise QBs.
• Zach Wilson (Jets), Trey Lance (49ers), and Kellen Mond (Vikings) have struggled and don’t seem likely to become reliable long-term starters.
• Lower drafted QBs like Kyle Trask and Davis Mills have shown flashes as backups but the jury is still out on their potential.
• I believe Fields has talent and leadership ability, but needs more weapons and support to develop into an elite QB for the Bears.
• I’m calling for Bears fans to have patience, stick together, and support Fields and the team through ups and downs as the rebuild continues.

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Justin Fields Showing Promise, But the 2021 QB Class is Struggling to Match Pre-Draft Hype

The 2021 NFL draft was billed as a potentially legendary quarterback class, but so far only Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields are showing the potential to become franchise stars. Several other highly drafted QBs like Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, and Kellen Mond have disappointed and appear unlikely to pan out as long-term starters.

Trevor Lawrence, drafted 1st overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars, has displayed generational talent according to most scouts and analysts. Expectations were sky-high for Lawrence after a legendary college career that included a national championship at Clemson. Though the Jaguars struggled again in 2022, most of the blame has fallen on coaching and a lack of talent around Lawrence. He had a solid statistical season and showed steady improvement, suggesting a bright future in Jacksonville.

Meanwhile, Zach Wilson, selected 2nd overall by the New York Jets, has been a major disappointment. After a strong final college season at BYU, the Jets saw Wilson as a quarterback savior. But after an up-and-down, injury-riddled rookie campaign, Wilson regressed in 2023 and was eventually benched. With 4 touchdowns and 5 interceptions in 7 starts, Wilson’s future as a starter is very much in doubt. The Jets appear to regret selecting Wilson over other top QBs like Justin Fields.

Speaking of regret, the San Francisco 49ers can’t be happy about using the 3rd overall pick on Trey Lance out of North Dakota State. Lance tantalized scouts with his size and athleticism, but inconsistent passing and injuries have defined his first three seasons. After showing a few flashes filling in for an injured Jimmy Garoppolo, Lance broke his ankle after just two games in 2023. Third-string rookie Brock Purdy has since led the 49ers on an improbable playoff run. With Purdy looking like the QB of the future in San Francisco, Lance has already become an expensive draft bust.

Justin Fields, selected 11th overall by the Chicago Bears, has provided reason for optimism despite the Bears’ continued struggles. Fields’ athleticism and leadership were lauded coming out of Ohio State, and he has developed nicely under difficult circumstances in Chicago. Fields has cut down on turnovers and displayed improved accuracy on deep passes in year two. With the Bears poised to add offensive talent around Fields, there is hope he can follow Josh Allen and Joe Burrow’s development arcs into a top-10 NFL QB.

Later round QBs like Kyle Trask and Davis Mills have also shown developmental promise for Tampa Bay and Houston, respectively. Trask lucked into a backup job behind legend Tom Brady and already has a Super Bowl ring to show for it. Mills had some solid showings filling in for Tyrod Taylor as a rookie. While neither has secured a long-term starting role yet, they have outplayed most of the first-round QBs so far.

So why have most of the 2021 first-round quarterbacks struggled to find their footing in the NFL? Football is extremely difficult, of course, and predicting any prospect’s transition to the pros is far from an exact science. But many teams likely reached for quarterbacks last draft, overvaluing traits like arm strength while discounting more subtle factors like decision-making, anticipation, and poise under pressure. Simply put, few prospects check every box, and all have flaws to overcome.

Bears fans know the quarterback development struggle all too well. Legends like Sid Luckman and Jim McMahon are cherished in Chicago, but the list of failed QB projects over the years runs long. First-round misses like Cade McNown, Rex Grossman, and Mitch Trubisky failed to reverse the franchise’s quarterback curse.

So Bears fans have reason to remain patient as Fields navigates early career obstacles. All young quarterbacks endure ups and downs while adjusting to the speed and complexity of NFL defenses. Bears supporters see tantalizing potential in Fields’ athletic gifts, confidence, and work ethic. His rapid improvement over the last year is extremely encouraging.

But Fields isn’t there yet. He must continue honing his passing accuracy, decision-making, and poise in high leverage situations. The Bears brain trust knows surrounding Fields with more talent at wide receiver and offensive line is crucial as well. Fields will almost certainly endure more growing pains in 2023. Bears fans would be wise to avoid overreacting to each turnover or deflating loss.

Instead, Chicago fans should follow the lead of rapper Lil Wayne and preacher T.D. Jakes by remaining relentlessly hopeful during rebuilding periods. Fields has already displayed the mindset and skill set of a championship quarterback if he can just put it all together. Bears loyalists know that turnarounds require patience, unity, and mutual understanding between players, coaches, and fans alike.

So while the 2021 quarterback class has mostly floundered so far, doomsaying Justin Fields and this new Bears regime would be premature. Trevor Lawrence looks like a slam dunk, but the rest of that QB class came out of college with question marks. It takes time to adjust to the speed and physicality of NFL competition.

Justin Fields is already showing real improvement working through his limitations and flaws. With support from coaches and fans, he projects well to take that next step into a consistent top-tier starter. As Chicago’s rebuild continues, the Bears have reason for cautious optimism around their young quarterback. If properly developed, Fields may yet emerge as the second-best QB from the 2021 class.

Bear Down Bears fans! and as always… PEACE!