Chris Long experienced loads of success in his NFL career. During that time, he developed a good sense of what quarterbacks are supposed to look like. He endured the dark years in St. Louis with Sam Bradford. Then he won a Super Bowl with Tom Brady in 2016. A year later, he did it again in Philadelphia with Carson Wentz and Nick Foles. The elder Long played 11 years in the league. So he’s never afraid to share his opinion on things. With his brother being a former Chicago Bears player, he has kept a close eye on the organization for almost a decade.
His interest grew last year when the team made a blockbuster move in the NFL draft, jumping nine spots to select quarterback Justin Fields. Long was a big fan of the Ohio State star and expressed a belief that he could end up being the best in his class when the dust settled. That was a hot take at the time, with golden boy Trevor Lawrence going #1 overall to Jacksonville. Time might be proving Long correct. Lawrence’s passer rating over the last five games is 78.0. Fields’ is 99.7. So Long decided to double down on his statement during an interview with Rich Eisen.
“Last year, I was positive he might be the best in his draft class and I think that’s going to prove itself out to be true. His ceiling is so high. Just look at that 61-yard run yesterday. Pair that with the 3rd and 8 [touchdown pass] to Mooney, which is a gorgeous throw. The difficulty of some of the throws that he’s making…because the margins are not incredibly big with the talent they have offensively…the calls…you know Getsy’s done a heck of a job…
I think they’re moving in the right direction. People were like, ‘Why offload your defensive weapons and then make a move for Claypool?’ Because it’s important to develop your quarterback in an environment that he’s not going to be shell-shocked.”
Chris Long is most impressed by how Fields has thrived.
Most young quarterbacks don’t get going until they’re surrounded by more help. A decent offensive line and a few above-average weapons. That hasn’t been the case with Fields. His line is among the worst in the NFL when it comes to reliable pass protection. As for weapons, Darnell Mooney is the best receiver they have, and that hasn’t been saying much this year. Cole Kmet has three touchdowns in the past two games, but his impact has underwhelmed for the most part. That is why the Bears made the aggressive trade for Chase Claypool. This offense needs more talent.
GM Ryan Poles will have a chance to achieve this next spring with $100 million in salary cap space and maybe a top 10 draft pick. Things will get interesting if the Bears can secure one or two blue-chip players. One thing is for sure. Chris Long is probably happy he’s retired. The last thing he wants is to be still playing and having to chase somebody like Fields around for 60 minutes.
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Tommy Gena: If you don’t like what Lambert writes why do you bother reading his stuff? It seems you always have grade school level negative and attacking comments with nothing ever positive to add to the conversation.
Those that want to credit Pace not so fast. Had he completed plan A that would have been trading several premier draft picks and 2 starters to get Russell Wilson and pay him a record deal at the time while already having the oldest roster and no cap space, which means more restructuring and more dead cap in the future. The Bears would be garbage for 4 years minimum after this year. Thank God the Football Gods stepped in. We can also thank Pete Carroll.
First Martz now Long it’s funny to see the so called experts changing their opinions of Fields. Kudos to Pace it was a great move to trade up to get Fields.
The offensive line is NOT your area of expertise. You were a big Lucas Patrick fan; wanted the Bears to trade Teven Jenkins; and still believe that Alex Leatherwood is “the man.”
Stick to your gossip-girl rumors, Lambert. That’s what you really know.
I have been watching the Bears most of my life, and I am 60. Fields has plenty of talent and huge upside. The best thing Pace did was drafting him. In fact its likely one of two things Pace did right. The other was trading for Mack.