Justin Fields Signs Rookie Contract

The fourth quarterback taken in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft has become the first to sign a rookie contract. The Chicago Bears announced on Thursday that Justin Fields agreed with the team to a four-year deal worth a fully-guaranteed $18.8 million.

The former Ohio State Buckeye and eleventh-overall pick this year is currently QB2 on the Bears’ depth chart behind free-agent acquisition Andy Dalton. His contract also includes an $11 million signing bonus and will involve a standard fifth-year option that the first-round draft picks get in their rookie deals.

Fields, who originally started his college playing days at the University of Georgia, transferred to Ohio State and led the Buckeyes to two College Football Playoff appearances, where he lost to Clemson in the semifinal in 2019 and the National Championship against Alabama back in January.

According to an article published by NFL.com, Fields’ career with the scarlet and gray was “essentially a two-season display of natural talent and athleticism, but the attribute he might need most as he enters the NFL — toughness — didn’t truly reveal itself until the College Football Playoff. Locked in a tight game with rival Clemson, Fields took a direct helmet shot to his hip and ribs, crumpling to the ground and writhing in pain on the Superdome turf. He fought through the injury to return to the game and fired a touchdown pass on a sprint out just moments later, eventually finishing with six touchdowns and a win over the Tigers in a memorably gritty performance.”

Bears fans are anxious to Fields step onto the playing surface at venerable Soldier Field come September, but that dream will have to be put on hold for now, as “the Red Rifle” Andy Dalton remains at the top of Chicago’s quarterback pecking order. At this point, like many other rookies, Fields is going through a transitioning and learning process from college to the pros.

While the Bears have had some ups and downs with quarterbacks such as Nick Foles and Mitchell Trubisky over the last three to four seasons, their fanbase is hopeful that Justin Fields can turn the franchise around and once again establish the team as the “Monsters of the Midway”.