Justin Fields isn’t putting up eye-popping numbers. For many, that is the only way to know for sure whether a quarterback is improving or not. However, others believe the truth can often run deeper. His 208 yards passing, one touchdown, and 47 yards rushing in Minnesota doesn’t sound impressive. However, a closer look at the film showed a young quarterback playing the most efficient game of his young career. It was enough even to impress some of his critics.
Mark Schofield of SB Nation hasn’t been shy about needling Fields for his struggles over the past year. He’s advised Chicago Bears fans to prepare themselves for the possibility another high pick won’t work out. Now, after watching last Sunday in Minnesota, it sounds like he’s having second thoughts. His reasoning is relatively simple. Fields showed something in that game he hasn’t before. It is something only good quarterbacks tend to exhibit in the NFL.
It all comes down to trust.
“Is this just a two-week mirage, or has Fields actually turned a corner? To try and answer that we turn to the film. In Chicago’s Week 4 loss to the New York Giants, Fields connected on 11 of 22 passes for 174 yards, and added another 52 yards on 7 rushing attempts. Not exactly prodigious production, but studying him from that game shows signs of something that was missing the first three weeks.
Trust. Trust in himself, and trust in those around him…
…Last week against the Minnesota Vikings, Fields posted his most efficient day of the season, completing 15 of 21 passes for 208 yards and a touchdown. He added another 47 rushing yards, which does not include a long touchdown run called back due to a penalty.
Beyond the production, we saw more examples of Fields trusting in himself, and in those around him. On this highlight-reel connection with Mooney, Fields again trusts his receiver to win downfield, and Mooney does with perhaps the Catch of the Year:”
Justin Fields has also learned to center himself.
One of the problems he admitted to having was getting too keyed up during games. That overexcitement would lead to mistakes. He had to find a way to keep himself calm during the action. So he took advice from a yoga instructor on how to adjust his breathing. He claims the new technique he employs during games played a big factor in his newfound calm and overall stamina. Whatever the changes are, they seem to be working.
His command of the new scheme is noticeable. He’s adjusting his protections well and seems to have a better line of communication with his receivers. There are still obvious talent deficiencies in the Bears’ offense. Those can’t be fixed until next off-season. Until then, the goal is building efficiency. Justin Fields is doing that. There will be more down games to come. That is inevitable. Still, Schofield is correct. He’s trending in the right direction.
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He has got another year; then the blame game everyone else in management ; players ; and the ball boy will start to wear off.
I mean the OC doesn’t throw picks off his own players helmets on 2 yardline.
How long the media gonna keep babying this guy
@ghost tomahawk
I said “most” quarterbacks and Burrow was an outlier and the #1 pick in the draft. Oh yeah, he also had Chase, Higgins and Boyd to throw to. Look who Fields is throwing to
@Jordo
How about Joe Burrows last year? Seems to me he did just fine with tons of pressure with a terrible line. He went to the Super Bowl.
Fields problem isn’t pressure its his inability to handle pressure and deliver.
Ahhh, Fields is the most pressured QB in the NFL. He’s far from a finished product but most quarterbacks would have a tough time behind that line.
🤣🤣🤣 so we can put this idiotic argument to rest now. Yall are looking stupid.
Fields is terrible. Time to get good with it. Here is the cupcake team with injured defenders and… they owned the Bears offense. Hats off to Montgomery and Herbert who ran effectively. That’s it.
Time to start writing articles about QBs the Bears should be drafting.