Jimmy Graham compares rookie Justin Fields to Russell Wilson
Chicago Bears tight end Jimmy Graham compared rookie quarterback Justin Fields to former teammate Russell Wilson after watching Fields’ first training camp. Graham, a five-time Pro Bowler, has played with some of the most talented quarterbacks in NFL history throughout his career, making stops with Drew Brees in New Orleans, Wilson in Seattle and Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay before making it to Chicago in 2020.
“You know, the ability to make plays while you’re running, I think he’s going to have — it’s been impressive to see him so young, so focused,” Graham said, via Adam Hoge of NBCSportsChicago.com. “And I can tell it definitely reminds me a lot of Russell Wilson.”
Graham spent three seasons with Wilson from 2015-17 and made two Pro Bowl appearances over that time. He finished his stint with the Seahawks with 113 receptions for 1,528 yards and eight touchdowns.
The comparison
Making comparisons to perineal MVP candidates can be a risky business, but the elements are there. Both quarterbacks faced questions about their play style throughout the draft process. Many scouts doubted Wilson’s ability to stay clean in the pocket and make reads without taking big hits while scrambling.
Wilson is entering his 10th NFL season and has overcome all doubts. He has 33,946 career passing yards with 267 touchdowns and 4,506 rushing yards with 21 touchdowns. He is a Super Bowl champion and an eight-time Pro Bowler.
Beyond their similar size and style of play, the two quarterbacks share a lot in common. Both are Big Ten graduates who transferred early in their college careers.
Fields possessed more accolades during college, winning two Griese-Brees trophies to Wilson’s one. The Griese-Brees trophy goes to the top quarterback in the Big Ten. He also made more All-Big Ten appearances and was an All-American in 2019.
The comparisons between Fields and Wilson can become more clear as training camp comes to a close and the preseason starts. In 2012, Wilson spent the preseason outperforming his peers in the quarterback room week after week. By the time the season opened he was already starting games, despite the investment made in free agent Matt Flynn.
Fields is also deep into a quarterback battle with a newly signed NFL veteran. The Bears brought in former Bengals and Cowboys player Andy Dalton to help ease the transition for the rookie. If Fields can win the starting job during the preseason, the Wilson comparisons will just continue to grow.
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