We are currently in the dead zone of the NFL offseason. 

Free agency, the draft, rookie minicamp, OTAs, and mandatory minicamp are now behind us, leaving training camp as the last event before preseason football. 

With this is mind, I wanted to take a look at each position group on the Bears' roster and identify my expectations for training camp. We'll get started with the quarterbacks. 

Justin Fields

The 2023 season will largely hinge on whether or not Fields can take the next step. The Bears had the chance to take any rookie QB in the 2023 NFL Draft and instead opted to trade that pick for an elite receiver and more picks. 

After that show of faith, Fields has a ton of pressure on his shoulders. Will the improved supporting cast be enough to launch the Bears into relevancy? Or will the Bears again struggle to have any semblance of a passing game? 

Well, early returns are promising. Fields already seemingly has good chemistry with DJ Moore and his throws looked sharp in OTAs. I expect more of the same from Fields at training camp and hope to see other players looking to the signal-caller as a team leader. 

There's no question as to whether the starting job is his, so barring any unforeseen events, training camp should be uneventful for Fields.  

P.J. Walker

Walker provides a better option than Tim Boyle, Trevor Siemian, or Nathan Peterman. Unlike the 2022 backup options, Walker plays a similar style to Fields and will be a valuable asset in practice. 

Walker has also shown that he won't completely blow his teams' chances if forced to start. While not near the runner that Fields is, Walker can avoid sacks and isn't a statue in the pocket. Expect Walker to receive all of the second-team QB snaps at camp and enter the season as Fields' main backup. 

Nathan Peterman and Tyson Bagent

Peterman is a guy who just keeps sticking around in the league. The signal-caller has never looked impressive for any length of time. Walker is the better backup option, so Peterman’s only chance seems to be if the team keeps three QBs. 

Even if the team keeps three QBs, rookie UDFA Tyson Bagent could beat out Peterman for the final spot. Bagent has upside as a young QB who dominated DII ball. If Bagent impresses in camp, I imagine he will earn a practice squad spot at worst. 

Featured image via © Jamie Sabau | 2022 Dec 24