Justin Fields, Chicago Bears. (Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports)
The Denver Broncos reportedly didn’t feel comfortable selecting Justin Fields in part because he has epilepsy. Fields was eventually drafted by Chicago.
Fields is slated as the Bears quarterback of the future, tossing dimes in preseason games while the Broncos struggle to choose between Teddy Bridgewater and Drew Lock.
Neither Bridgewater nor Lock is an intriguing of an option long-term as Fields is. The Ohio State product possesses the mobility and fine-tuning as a passer to make a difference right away in the Windy City.
Before the draft, however, there were serious questions about Fields’ health — most notably his diagnosis of epilepsy. While Fields has never had seizures on the field of play, the constant threat of an epileptic event was too much for Denver. This is despite Hall-of-Fame talent like Alan Faneca being diagnosed with epilepsy back in his day.
Denver Broncos passed on quarterback Justin Fields for health reasons
Instead of selecting Fields in the first round, the Broncos added to their secondary by taking Patrick Surtain, Jr. As talented as Surtain is, he will be forever compared to Fields, and perhaps unfairly based on what we’ve seen so far.
Yes, it’s a small sample size, but Fields is already turning heads in Chicago. Epilepsy cannot hinder his abilities on the field, and like many before him, it would appear the Broncos misread exactly how much the disease impacts his play.
Both Lock and Bridgewater are talented quarterbacks, but in no way to they stack up to the play of Fields, even this early.