The better question may not be whether or not Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields throws an interception against the Green Bay Packers in Week 1 but to whom.
Since entering the league in 2021, Fields has thrown six interceptions in only four games against Green Bay. In their last meeting, a Week 13 matchup in Chicago, he threw two fourth-quarter interceptions to seal a 28-19 win for the Packers. Fields’ final throw of the game landed in the hands of corner Keisean Nixon.
Buy Packers Tickets.@keiseannixon puts the game on ice with an INT! 🧊#GBvsCHI #ProBowlVote #GoPackGo
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/y3OVdB5eyq
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) December 4, 2022
Ball security has not been a strong suit for Fields, who has thrown 21 picks in just 25 games as the starting quarterback. In his defense, Chicago didn’t have the best protection over the last two years and had little to work with as far as pass-catchers.
That is supposed to change in 2023 after the Bears utilized the offseason to bolster their offensive line and trade for former Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Moore.
However, during the preseason, Fields displayed some of the same questionable decision-making while operating from a clean pocket and throwing to his new No. 1 target.
Justin Fields has thrown 6 interceptions in 4 games against the #Packers. I like the odds of him throwing at least one on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/5lMHuD0IQO
— Brandon Carwile (@PackerScribe) September 6, 2023
If Fields hasn’t progressed heading into his third season, Green Bay’s defense may be able to pick up where they left off last season, which was picking off opposing quarterbacks at a staggering rate. Over the final five games, the Packers forced nine interceptions and ended up finishing fourth overall with 17 interceptions as a team.
This year, the Packers are returning most of their defensive starters, including corners Jaire Alexander and Rasul Douglas, who combined for nine picks in 2022.
But even though Fields has struggled as a passer at times, Green Bay knows he can hurt them in multiple ways.
“I think Justin Fields is a good quarterback,” Douglas said Monday. “He can throw and he can run, and when he runs, he’s like a running back. He’s not just an average runner who might slide or go out of bounds. Like no, he’s looking for all the yards he can get.”
Considering how impactful Fields can be as a runner, the Packers may have to focus on keeping him in the pocket during the season opener. If they can do that and force him to beat them with his arm, given his recent history, at least one interception feels inevitable.
