Justin Fields breaks silence on unfollowing Bears IG account amid uncertain future with Chicago

The Chicago Bears traded up in the 2020 NFL draft to acquire Justin Fields with the No. 11 pick. The quarterback has been with the squad for three years now. The team thought they would find their next franchise quarterback in him, but his tenure with them seems to be ending soon.

Fields went 10-28 as a starter, and the rumor of his departure with the Bears remains a hot topic of discussion. Meanwhile, the social media storm surrounding his decision to unfollow his team on Instagram left fans speculating wildly about the quarterback’s motivations. However, Fields himself has revealed his rationale behind the seemingly dramatic move.

Justin Field reveals why he unfollowed Bears on IG

During a recent podcast appearance with Equanimeous St. Brown and his brother Amon-Ra, Justin Fields shed light on his move to unfollow the Bears. He said his decision to unfollow the Bears was not indicative of any rift but rather a desire for a brief hiatus.

“Why do people take social media so seriously? I still mess with the Bears I’m just trying to take a little break. I unfollowed the Bears and the NFL [social media accounts]. I’m not just trying to have football on my timeline… It’s something that I don’t want to see on my timeline. I’m about to go on vacation. I don’t want to see no football,” he said.

The unfollow drama unfolded against the backdrop of swirling trade rumors, sparked by Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer’s revelation that the Bears had explored potential deals involving Fields during the Senior Bowl. This revelation added fuel to the fire, with keen-eyed followers noting Fields’ social media activity.

The Bears have been exploring the possibility of drafting Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. While some fans are drawing comparisons between Williams and Fields, some also endorsed him over the college QB. However, Fields said he is just tired of these comparisons.

“Man, I’m tired of hearing all the talk. ‘We want Fields. We want Caleb. Bro, it’s just …”

Justin Fields’ journey with the Bears has been far from smooth. He showcased slight improvements in the 2023 season, with a 61.4 completion rate, 2562 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. However, the team’s overall performance under his leadership fell short of expectations.

Justin Fields still hopes to play in Chicago

Justin Fields finds himself at a crossroads as he enters the fourth year of his rookie contract. With a looming decision on a $22 million fifth-year option before May 2, speculation is rife about his future in Chicago.

The signal-caller himself hinted at his uncertain future with the Bears following a disappointing loss to the Green Bay Packers. However, he said he wants to remain with the Bears for the upcoming seasons as well.

“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 are great, and the people. It’s a business. I ain’t got no control over it; whatever happens, happens.”

The quarterback also voiced his eagerness for clarity, stating, “I think 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 getting traded, let me know if I’m staying, this and that.”

Meanwhile, several teams have emerged as suitors to acquire the Bears QB. A team in contention for his service is the Atlanta Falcons. Fields, who hails from Georgia, acknowledged the appeal of the Falcons by citing the team’s playmakers and solid defense.

“Atlanta would be tough..The only con of going back home is just people hit my phone [up] crazy wanting tickets to the game. But I think they’ve got a lot of playmakers on the team: of course Bijan [Robinson]; they’ve got my boy Kyle [Pitts]; and then, of course, Drake [London], too. They probably need one more receiver, but they’ve definitely got some guys over there, and their defense was good this year, too.”

Beyond the Falcons, Justin Fields was linked to the Las Vegas Raiders following the appointment of Rich Scangarello as the new quarterback coach. Now, only time will tell if he will stick with the Bears or find his next home in the NFL.