The Chicago Bears finished their 2022 preseason with an exciting 21-20 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Saturday. Second-year quarterback Justin Fields thrilled as he threw three first-half touchdown passes and only had two incompletions during the time he was in the game. Although the Bears’ offense had tremendous success against the Browns, the offense still has more room to improve and can be even better during the regular season.
Justin Fields put on a show vs. the Browns 🍿
◻️ 14/16
◻️ 156 pass yards
◻️ 3 TD
◻️ 146.9 QB rating pic.twitter.com/vlH9pTNprf— 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 (@sportingnews) August 28, 2022
Bears’ Offense Has Yet To Play Fully Healthy Together
Saturday’s preseason finale against the Browns was the first time in the preseason that the Bears’ featured their core players on offense together. Running back David Montgomery, wide receiver Darnell Mooney, tight end Cole Kmet, and Fields all started for Chicago and will be the prominent figures on offense this season. Each player has stood out at one point during the Bears’ three preseason games as Montgomery made his preseason debut against Cleveland and had several impressive rushing attempts.
Montgomery and backup running back Khalil Herbert are vital to Chicago’s offense in 2022, as offensive coordinator Luke Getsy will lean heavily on the rushing game to establish the passing game. Getsy’s offensive scheme will aim to highlight Field’s strengths, giving the quarterback an option to run or pass via play-action passing plays. Throughout preseason this year, the Bears offensive coordinator has featured several bootleg passing play designs for his quarterback.
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Khalil Herbert and David Montgomery are gonna very much make things easier on Justin Fields this year.
— Carmen Vitali (@CarmieV) August 28, 2022
On Saturday against the Brown, Bears fans got a glimpse of Getsy’s offensive scheme as Chicago’s offense had success running the ball and building the passing game off of it. Montgomery rushed for 28 yards on nine carries while Fields passed for 156 yards in the first half. Chicago’s quarterback connected on touchdown passes to his two tight ends and completed passes to five different receivers. Getsy consistently designed passing plays that resulted in Fields’ pass-catchers being wide open with space in coverage leading to the big passing plays.
Despite the success seen by Fields and Chicago’s offense on Saturday, the Bears can still be even more successful on offense because of injuries hampering the team during the preseason. Although Mooney, Kmet, and Montgomery, the Bears were without three of their four projected top wide receivers as Byron Pringle, N’Keal Harry, and Velus Jones Jr have all missed games this preseason due to injuries. Pringle and Jones are expected back for Chicago’s regular season opener in two weeks against the San Francisco 49ers, while Harry will be out until October with an ankle injury.
Chicago Bears QB Justin Fields said on @WBBMNewsradio that he's ready to go for Week 1. Justin said there are several players that are coming back from injuries.
Fields: "We are definitely excited for the season."
— Daniel Greenberg (@ChiSportUpdates) August 28, 2022
Getsy has yet to implement an offensive game plan while having all of Chicago’s offensive weapons healthy and playing together. Having Harry, Jones, and Pringle will help free up defensive coverage that will likely be focused on Mooney as the Bears’ top wide receiver. Additionally, if Montgomery and Herbert can establish a successful running game, this will freeze defenses when Fields fakes a handoff on a design passing play.
Getsy Will Be Able To Evolve Chicago’s Offensive Scheme Once Continuity Is In Place
Chicago’s passing offense will get even more explosive when Pringle and Jones return, as one is an experienced veteran while the other is arguably the fastest player on Chicago’s roster. Getsy is developing plays that not only is getting his players open but is developing a game plan that highlights Fields’ downfield passing accuracy. In the Bears’ three preseason games, their quarterback completed at least one pass in each game that was 15 yards or longer downfield.
Unfortunately, due to injuries at the running back and wide receiver positions in the preseason, the Bears have yet to have any continuity with their offensive players during these exhibition games. For example, Getsy may have had specific passing plays that feature Mooney, Jones, and Montgomery on the field, but because of the injuries, Chicago was unable to attempt those plays in their three preseason games. Furthermore, Pringle and Harry are two of the best run-blocking wide receivers in the league, but there will be no way to determine how they will improve the Bears’ rushing offense until both are healthy again.
PFF WR run blocking grades from last year:
N’Keal Harry: 84.7 (4th)
Byron Pringle: 74.8 (16th)
Monty & Herbert at RB.
Fields on play-action:
35/57 (sad, so few attempts)
509 Yards, 2 TD, 0 INT
102.2 Passer Rating
12.7% Big Time Throw % (1st)What is going on in Chicago.. pic.twitter.com/BleDfJUCDa
— dave (@runbackdave) July 13, 2022
Once there is health and continuity with the Bears’ offense, Getsy will be able to evolve his offensive scheme after the players have had a few games together. If opposing NFL defenses begin taking away Mooney and Kmet as potential passing targets for Fields, Chicago’s offensive coordinator could feature more passing plays to highlight the strengths of Jones or Pringle. By having multiple receiving options, the Bears’ offense can find new ways to remain efficient and productive to score points.
Fields appears to be extremely comfortable with Getsy’s offense despite having a consistent rotation at the receiver position during the preseason. Although Kmet and Mooney will be the prominent two passing targets for Chicago’s quarterback, the second-year quarterback still needs familiarity with Jones, Pringle, and Harry to establish a connection only to build off that connection. Once that happens, Getsy can create new and impactful passing plays.
Justin Fields allowed Ryan Griffin’s route to develop and split two defenders for the touchdown pass. An excellent throw into a tight window. pic.twitter.com/SJGE1YNyVn
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) August 27, 2022
There is excitement building amongst Bears fans following Saturday’s game against Brown, as they are hyped for Fields and the possibilities for the offense. Chicago navigated the preseason managing injuries and has their core group of offensive players ready to go against the 49ers in two weeks. Getsy and Fields impressed throughout the three preseason games, and once the rest of the offense gets healthy, Chicago can be an exciting team in 2022.
Tommy63….that’s not really correct. Perhaps you should look at who didn’t play for Chicago’s defense.
Discipline is one thing you CAN ask for in preseason, and the Bears showed it all 3 games
What tells how much better the coaching is this year is the lack of penalties.
Even though the fake games don’t mean a thing it was nice to see the offense running smoothly. There are a lot of quiet weapons on this offense. If the D can bring it and cause lots of TO’s, this team could start looking really good.
Though the Bears were impressive against the Browns, remember it was the Bear starters playing Cleveland reserves for the most part.