Justin Fields has played some really good football over the past two weeks, at least in the context of a Chicago Bears quarterback. He struggled a lot through the first three games, posting an ugly 50.0 passer rating. Against the Giants and Vikings, he improved that to 97.2. He’s looked far more composed and calm in the pocket. He’s making better decisions and doesn’t seem in a rush as often. This isn’t an accident. It is something Fields has worked to fix for a long time.
Part of the new success comes from increasing familiarity with the new offense. He’s starting to grasp protections, reads, and routes far better than before. It is why his head doesn’t look like it’s swimming anymore. However, according to the quarterback, there is another reason for this. Fields spoke to the media on Tuesday. There he revealed that he’d begun a new ritual during games. It involved deep breathing exercises taught to him by the team’s yoga instructor. He feels it’s significantly impacted his stamina and his ability to stay calm.
Justin Fields has finally learned an NFL secret.
People always talk about the speed of the pro level. The problem many young players face is the belief they need to speed up their own playing style to compensate. That is often what leads them to make mistakes constantly. Fields often had this problem last year and through the first month of this season. Then he realized that his job is to play within his own rhythm. Play at the speed that feels right. If he does that, his talent and hard work should do the rest.
It is hard to argue the results. One could make a case his game against Minnesota was his all-around best as a pro. The numbers weren’t flashy, but the efficiency is what stood out. He made every play count. If this is the Justin Fields fans can expect the rest of the season, there is no shame in getting excited. Nobody questioned his talent. His biggest hurdle was figuring out how to handle the speed and complexity of NFL defenses without getting overwhelmed. It appears he has.
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