Justin Fields is having a less-than-ideal start to his second season with the Chicago Bears. In fairness, most of the 2021 quarterback class has underwhelmed. So it’s not just him, which is something at least. Still, that doesn’t absolve him from blame. Fields is the quarterback and holds responsibility for offensive success. The question is how much of these issues that plague the Bears fall on him and how much is the situation around him?
Chicago has a top five running game this year. One would think that should make life easier for the quarterback. It hasn’t. He’s barely completing half of his passes and has more interceptions (5) than touchdowns (4). So naturally, the blame game has started. Some people point the finger at Fields, and others at his supporting cast. Adam Jahns of The Athletic was curious about this, so he polled a few experts around the league that have studied the team.
The majority of them came away with the same answer.
“Lee: It has to be the offensive line, because that’s an expensive issue to fix for Chicago. Even in the event that the Bears found a franchise tackle, that does nothing to address other holes on the interior or the opposite bookend. Fixing the trenches takes a wholesale approach, and it’s rare that young offensive linemen are hits right out of the gate, so attacking that position in the draft isn’t necessarily a more sound approach than trying to acquire solid veterans through free agency or trades.
Tice: This is like picking between which terrible horror movie sequel to watch, but I’ll go with “Scream 3,” aka the offensive line. While the receiving options aren’t great, I do think passable pass catchers are far easier to come by than startable offensive linemen. And the Bears need a big ol’ pile of both. They can’t go through another season with Sam Mustipher at center, and that’s just the start of it. They not only need an injection of top-end talent but depth.”
Justin Fields is good when he’s protected.
That is the frustrating part of all this. He has an 87.6 passer rating when kept clean. The problem is that this has happened on only 49% of his dropbacks this year. That rating drops to 43.8 when under pressure. So not only is he facing too much pressure, but he’s also not handling it well when it comes. That is how you get the worst passing attack in the NFL. Yes, the Bears need better weapons, but it starts up front.
Watch the best quarterbacks in the league, and there is a strong likelihood most of them enjoy above-average pass protection. Tom Brady is off to one of the worst starts of his career in Tampa Bay because his line can’t protect him. The same goes for Matthew Stafford in Los Angeles. Justin Fields is no different. If and when Chicago can fortify his blocking, there is a reasonable chance to think he will play much better.
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All NFL QBs are good when they have good protection. If you have ample time any NFL receiver will get open.
Fields DOES have time. Most of his sacks come over 4 seconds. This is Fields. He’s not reading the field fast enough. He doesn’t anticipate his receivers and waits till they’re totally open to throw the ball. This will lead to high sack totals and tons of hits.
Unfortunately, these are problems that needed to be worked out in college. Not glossed over because he was an athletic ball thrower.
Thank you! Finally! I’m a firm beleiver in Fields,you get him an o-line and watch what Happens,and Yes I hear the Haters already,ya.ll say what you want,But this guy can play! So done hearing about this stat and how he does this wrong,and he can’t do that??Play this thing out,everyone in the country knew this wasn’t our year,but yet ya’ll sit back and look for some one to Blame.Bear Down!
@nick. wholeheartedly agree, but I have a feeling the 3 tech’ will be their highest priority. I think ‘Flus said that is the most important aspect of his style of defense(e.g. the QB of the D’). I’ve been watching the dude from Tennesse.(always wears 1 arm band… forget his name. he’s a BEAST and would be a free agent pick up… then Poles can actually get a stud Center in 1st round and RT(sorry Borum not your fault) in 2nd.
Offseason must: fix the offensive line, get a stud 3 techinque, add to receiving core
If the Bear can accomplish, this: A) I’ll be amazed, B) they can finally evaluate Justin as a QB, C) they will have the infrastructure to develop a QB if Fields isn’t the guy. Make it happen Poles.
Thanks Pace. That is why both sides of the lines need to be fixed because of your terrible decisions I forgot the McCaskeys and the accountant for giving him the job and keeping him around so long