When the Chicago Bears announced their official schedule for the 2022 NFL season last week, we had already known their opponents. However, now we know the order and which games are home versus away.
Now, we can start to predict where the Bears will end their season if we so choose — but we all know how much good it does to try and predict these things in May.
What’s most intriguing, right now, is looking at key games under the microscope.
For second-year quarterback Justin Fields, there are a handful of matchups on the schedule which will be an opportunity to prove himself more than others.
Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields will face off against four other fellow quarterbacks from the 2021 draft class.
Last year’s quarterback class was far greater than that of the 2022 draft, and this year, we could end up seeing Fields take on four of the top six from a year ago.
Just for context, as a rookie Fields threw for 1,870 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 10 starts. He also ran for 420 yards and two scores.
Starting out in Week 1, the Bears take on the San Francisco 49ers at home. The continued storyline for the 49ers, this offseason, has been in regards to quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance. Many still believe it will be Lance who supplants Garoppolo as the starter.
If that’s the case, Fields will have a chance to take on a quarterback drafted eight picks ahead of him in 2021. Last season, Lance did not play much. He ended the year with 603 passing yards, five passing touchdowns and two picks. He also ran for 168 yards and a touchdown.
If the Bears can come out and win this tough game against a good defense, it would help Fields’ confidence going forward. Even if the Bears don’t win, to see Fields play well against the 49ers defense will be a big accomplishment.
In Week 3, the Bears host the Houston Texans and second-year quarterback Davis Mills, who performed admirably as a rookie last year. In 11 starts, Mills threw for 2,668 yards with 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
