The Chicago Bears signed Trevor Siemian recently for one reason — to serve as the backup quarterback to Justin Fields.

Siemian, who is familiar with Chicago thanks to his college days at Northwestern, is a journeyman quarterback who will be playing for his sixth team in eight seasons in 2022.

The Bears are hoping to trade quarterback Nick Foles this offseason, which would make Siemian the primary backup to Fields.

This signing seemingly isn't a big deal, right? It's just a backup quarterback. If Siemian is forced into long-term action in 2022, the season is probably lost for the Bears.

But while all of that is true, signing Siemien is actually vital to Chicago's future success.

Siemian is the perfect backup quarterback for Fields. And it's not necessarily because of Siemian's skills.

The former seventh-round draft pick signed with Chicago for two reasons:

• He believes in the Bears' vision under new general manager Ryan Poles and new head coach Matt Eberflus.
• He wants to help Fields develop into a star quarterback.

"That's kind of been my role the last several years is backup quarterback, kind of figuring out and identifying what the starter needs," said Siemian last week (via ChicagoBears.com). "For Justin, I can give him a little bit of perspective. I don't want to act like I have all the answers and he's certainly going to get plenty of coaching. But being a young starter — cause I was [one] several years ago — you need kind of a foxhole guy. Or a guy on some days to talk football with, and on some days to talk about movies or whatever else and shoot the breeze with."

"Justin's got so much potential," added Siemian. "I'm looking to do whatever I can to help him hopefully make a jump here."

What Siemian will provide Fields — a listening ear and a sounding board — is something that can be overlooked when it comes to constructing an NFL roster. But it's incredibly important. The backup quarterback can almost be like another coach — especially when the backup is a veteran.

Siemian isn't coming to Chicago to take the starting job from Fields. He's not trying to rejuvenate his career. Siemian's purpose is to help make the Bears a better team via his relationship with Fields.

It's not glamorous, but it's an important role and it's a role that it sounds like Siemian has fully embraced.

Featured image via Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports