The Chicago Bears coaching staff isn’t going to dress Justin Fields down in public. That is a wrong way to operate. However, they’re also going to answer questions honestly when asked. Matt Eberflus didn’t beat around the bush when asked what he wants to see more from his young quarterback. He cited footwork and anticipation as the two things that stand out. Those are the same two things he mentioned back in April.
When watching Fields, it’s easy to see why. There is no question the quarterback is brilliant when it comes to improvisation. He escapes pressure so well with his legs and makes lots of plays off the cuff. Unfortunately, those are often wasted because he can’t string good moments together inside the pocket. Nobody illustrated the issue better than quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko via Adam Jahns of The Athletic.
“That’s the NFL, though,” Janocko said. “Timing and rhythm is everything. Anticipation is everything. Great quarterbacks in this league, if you see him open and the ball’s in your hand, he’s not open. It’s already closed.”
That sums up Fields. He’s been described multiple times as a “see it, throw it” quarterback. He waits to see the receiver open before throwing it. That worked fine in college because guys could often get wide open. That is rarely the case in the NFL. It is why timing and rhythm are so vital. Windows open and close so much faster.
Justin Fields still hasn’t had a true breakthrough.
The only time he seemed to show signs of getting it was against Minnesota. He made several throws that came out on time and in rhythm. Then it seemed to go away again last Thursday against Washington. People aren’t sure if and when he will turn a corner on this issue. Some quarterbacks do, and some never quite get it. The Bears are still trying to figure that out. There are 11 games left in the season. That should be more than enough time to get a good picture of which direction he’s pointing.
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Whether Justin Fields can survive what’s coming is another story. The Bears reportedly have the second-hardest schedule remaining this year. His next two games are against the Patriots and Cowboys, two of the most well-coached defenses in the NFL. It’s hard not to feel like people will know the real Fields by the end of this stretch, for better or worse.
Timing doesnt do jack shit when your tight end runs like a grandma.
You can not afford to anticipate a sub-par coming open. They probably will not, and you will end up with an interception or be accused of miss-reading his route. His only option is to wait to see it happen. Then, even if they make a wrong move or route, you have a chance at a completion. I would always tell my athletes, If you have to “think about it” “It is too late” “Muscle memory and faith in your fellow players to do their part will win.”
I’m not sure how he’s expected to be a timing QB went he can’t be sure his receivers will be in the right spot. If they’re not in the right spot and he gets intercepted then he gets blamed for that as well. Let’s put the blame where it belongs and that’s on the people in charge of constructing the roster.
So far, Fields reminds me of Jake Plummer. He was a high first round pick by Arizona then traded to Denver, Denver came to the conclusion Jake was never going to be able to read the entire field in time so they cut the field in half for him. Not always the same side. He never became great but he got better.
This issue is not necessarily connected to a persons level of intelligence but rather how quick the mind processes with differences of less that a second.
Bears coaches PLEASE READ THESE COMMENTS. Design the offense around Justin Fields. Get him out of the pocket. Do the Lamar Jackson approach. We can win now AND develop Jf. Let him run on every play till they adjust and then he throws. Take advantage of his awesome skills, get him confident and he will develop.