Tag: Bryant McFadden

Justin Fields plans on breaking the Bears’ 4,000 passing yards drought

The Bears have never had a quarterback throw for 4,000 yards. Justin Fields says he will become the first one to do it, beginning this year.

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If you’re a Chicago Bears fan, chances are you’re well aware of the team’s dubious history at the quarterback position. The Bears haven’t had a true franchise quarterback in over 50 years, no quarterback has ever thrown for 30 or more touchdowns, and no quarterback has ever eclipsed 4,000 yards passing.

That final stat has been burned into the brains of Bears fans seeing as they’re the only team that has yet to accomplish the feat, despite being the oldest franchise in the NFL. Bears quarterback Justin Fields knows the Bears have struggled in that area, but plans on finally ending that drought beginning this season.

Fields recently spoke with Bryant McFadden of CBS Sports’ All Things Covered podcast and was asked if he will finally be the player to eclipse 4,000 passing yards in a season for the Bears. The young quarterback didn’t mince words in his answer. “I will,” Fields said. “I plan on doing it this year, too.”

It’s a bold predication for Fields, not only because no quarterback before him has done it but because he has yet to even throw for 3,000 yards in a season. Last year, Fields played in 15 games and threw for 2,242 yards. He’s averaging 152.3 yards per game in two seasons and has yet to throw for more than 300 yards in a single game. But there’s reason for Fields and Bears fans to feel optimistic that this record will end soon.

The Bears upgraded their offense in a big way this offseason, adding wide receivers D.J. Moore and rookie Tyler Scott, as well as tight end Robert Tonyan, to upgrade their receiving options. They also drafted right tackle Darnell Wright early in the 2023 NFL Draft and signed veteran guard Nate Davis to fortify the offensive line. For the players returning from 2022, including Darnell Mooney, Chase Claypool, Cole Kmet, Braxton Jones, and Teven Jenkins, they all now have experience in the same system for the second year in a row and are ahead of the learning curve.

That includes Fields, who has said multiple times how being in the same system two years in a row helps him feel more comfortable at the quarterback position. He was learning a new scheme in 2022 while also throwing to starting wide receivers who would be benchwarmers anywhere else.

The stage is set for him to take a monumental step forward in Year 3. Perhaps that even includes a 4,000-yard season.

Two-time Super Bowl champion picking Vikings over Packers in NFC North

Will the Vikings take the division in 2022? A former two-time champion believes so.

There are still skeptics regarding the dramatic facelift the Minnesota Vikings experienced in the offseason. But there are people out there, including a former two-time Super Bowl champion, that believe this is the year the team takes the NFC North.

When appearing on CBS Sports HQ, former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Bryant McFadden picked the Vikings not only to end the season with double-digit wins, but he also picked them to overthrow Aaron Rodgers and the Packers for the NFC North throne.

“I think when you look at the roster, when you look at the schemes on both sides of the football—the experience in key positions—this is a team that’s set up nicely to get at least 10 wins,” said McFadden. “And I’ll say this also, even though you didn’t ask me. I’m giving you my opinion. …I believe the Minnesota Vikings will win the division this season.”

Part of that opinion stems from what the Vikings have done in the offseason. They’ve completely changed the culture in the locker room by going out and hiring Kwesi Adofo-Mensah as general manager and former Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell as the head coach.

They’ve also made some intriguing personnel moves in free agency and the draft.

However, the other part to that opinion is the fact that the Green Bay Packers have taken some losses in the offseason, including the trade that sent their star receiver, Davante Adams, to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Rodgers has gone from his No. 1 option being arguably the best receiver in the league to the oft-injured Sammy Watkins or rookie first-round pick Christian Watson.

The Boogeyman Packers might still be dangerous, but they aren’t as scary as they used to be. This is as good as any time for the Vikings to overtake the division.

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Bryant McFadden says Justin Simmons is the Damian Lillard of the NFL

“He’s like the Damian Lillard of the NFL. He’s so underappreciated.”

Broncos safety Justin Simmons has until July 15 to sign a long-term contract extension with Denver. If a deal is not reached before that deadline, Simmons will have to play on a one-year franchise tag before becoming a free agent in 2021.

Bryant McFadden, a former Steelers cornerback who won two Super Bowls during his career, believes Simmons deserves more recognition among the NFL’s top safeties.

“When I think about Justin Simmons, guys, he’s like the Damian Lillard of the NFL,” McFadden said on CBS Sports last week. “He’s so underappreciated. He didn’t come into the league with a big name like some of his peers but he’s done nothing but ball out, especially the last few years.”

Simmons totaled 85 tackles, 15 pass breakups and four interceptions last season. McFadden says the 26-year-old safety is among the game’s best.

“When you turn on the tape or look at the numbers, he’s a big-time baller.”

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