Justin Fields enters 2022 with a fresh start. He’s in a new offensive system under Luke Getsy with a re-tooled offensive line and wide receiving corps. One would think his experience from last season alone would prepare him well for this year. Players typically take the best statistical jump in their second seasons. With a projected easier schedule and more cohesive system, it doesn’t seem crazy to think Fields will be much better.
Tell that to ESPN. Their experts compiled statistical projections for every quarterback across the entire season. The top five aren’t unsurprising, led by Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson, and Kyler Murray. Fields sat 18th in the rankings. The general assessment is he’ll be more dangerous as a runner this season, but his passing will only be marginally better due to a poor supporting cast.
- 324-of-515
- 3644 passing yards
- 18 TDs
- 15 INTS
- 104 carries
- 602 rushing yards
- 3 rushing TDs
“The dual-threat QB’s supporting cast is very weak, but his legs make him a breakout candidate worth considering in the late rounds.”
That pretty much aligns with what most of the national media says about Fields’ prospects for this year. He has more than enough talent to be better, but the awful situation around him will make it irrelevant. They fear his aggressiveness will continue working against him because of this, resulting in too many interceptions and not enough touchdowns.
Justin Fields is already showing signs of improvement.
It was evident during the preseason. While he still took occasional shots down the field, he was much better about taking what the defense gave him on shorter passes. He operated more efficiently from the pocket and had better control of the offense before and after the snap. Getsy did a great job of creating favorable matchups with receivers and tight ends while also getting Fields outside the pocket more often. There were heavy doses of play action too.
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Preseason or not, Justin Fields did finish with a passer rating of 133.06. He didn’t turn the ball over once. No interceptions and no fumbles. It shows that he has corrected many of the problems he suffered from last season. Now, it is unreasonable to expect he’ll light defenses up this year, but 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions feel a bit too pessimistic. The Bears have some talented pieces on offense, like Darnell Mooney and Cole Kmet. If the offensive line isn’t a complete train wreck, Fields should at least post modestly decent numbers.
Never, ever, give the network talking heads an attentive ear. They don’t have the wisdom or intelligence to asy something meaningful.
What about the Browns. You heard it right here. The Bears will have a better final record than the Browns this year. I suspect it will also be close with the Vikings.
More media simps that just go off Orlovsky or Keyshawn Johnson words, watched the Browns highlights and say the same thing everyone else says.
I doubt a media “expert” could name 3 players on the bears o-line, yet they make the blanket statement the o-line is terrible. 60% of the line is new this year. I’d take Mooney and Kmet over the packers #1 WR and TE. If only experts had repercussions for bad analysis, maybe they’d do more homework.
According to the latest “rankings”, the Bears are ranked #32. So, the “experts” are saying the Lions, Texans, Seahawks, Jets, Giants, Falcons, Jaguars are all going to be better this season. And, why are the Vikings considered favorites to de-thrown the Packers? They have a new coaching staff and systems as well. Unbelievable. I can’t wait, because I know that’s absolutely not true. This season is going to be hilariously and shockingly embarrassing for the so-called experts.