Social media went into a frenzy and rumors were swirling when it was discovered Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields unfollowed the team on Instagram.
But he has an explanation.
NFL media and fans noticed Fields wasn't following his team on the social media website on Monday, further speculating his time in Chicago is over as the organization considers keeping Fields as the franchise quarterback or presumedly select Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Fields appeared on "The St. Brown Brothers" podcast with Detroit Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and fellow Bears teammate Equanimeous St. Brown, and the siblings weren't afraid to ask him directly why he no longer follows Chicago. Fields said he was glad to address it and explained there really isn't much to it.
"Why do people take social media so serious?" Fields said. "I still mess with the Bears. I'm just trying to take a little break. I unfollowed the Bears and the NFL bro. I'm not just trying to have football on my timeline."
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Fields then compared it to "messing" with a girl but not following them on social media. When Amon-Ra St. Brown suggested that it means Fields "messes" with the Bears more now, the quarterback said it's not like that.
"It's something that I don't want to spend my time on. I'm about to go on vacation," he said.
Fields also addressed the speculation between the organization's decision to keep him or go with Williams, saying that all he sees on social media is, "it's either keep Fields, we want Fields, it's either draft Caleb."
"I'm tired of hearing the talk. I just want it to be over."
As of now, Fields remains the quarterback for Chicago, but it could change anytime between now and the first round of the draft on April 25. Williams is expected to be the first overall selection in the draft, including in the USA TODAY Sports mock drafts. Fields is still under contract and he has a fifth-year option after the end of the 2024 that could be picked up, meaning drafting Williams would likely result in Fields being traded.