The Chicago Bears lost to the New York Giants on Sunday 20-12, as the offense failed to score a touchdown in the game. Despite quarterback Justin Fields playing better, there were still many glaring issues with Chicago’s offense during the loss. Although head coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Luke Getsy have stated their faith in Fields as the Bears’ quarterback, there were several instances in the loss to the Giants that proved otherwise.
Chicago’s Offense Is Still Trying To Avoid Having Fields Make Plays
In the loss against the Giants, Fields completed 11 passes on 22 attempts for 174 yards, with 51 yards coming on a deep completion to wide receiver Darnell Mooney. Chicago’s second-year quarterback displayed more confidence as several of his pass completions were decisive and sharp, hitting the intended target in stride. Although Fields appeared to be playing with more confidence, it was apparent that Eberflus and Getsy were trying to avoid having their quarterback throw the ball.
Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles said on the Bears pregame radio that inside Halas Hall "I can tell you for sure no one's lost trust" in QB Justin Fields.
Poles on WR N'Keal Harry: "He's rehabbed really well. He's pushing hard to be ready to play as soon as he can go."
— Daniel Greenberg (@ChiSportUpdates) October 2, 2022
The most glaring example of the team avoiding Fields having to throw the ball was the third and two play late in the fourth quarter. Instead of potentially throwing the ball or having the quarterback attempt a rollout off a fake handoff, Chicago called a running play with running back Khalil Herbert, who was stopped short of the first down. The Bears were forced to punt and failed to have a legitimate chance to tie the game.
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Although the third down play will stick out as the prime example of Eberflus and Getsy not trusting Fields, the play-calling throughout the game further emboldens the notion. Of the 15 first-down plays Chicago’s offense had in the first half, 12 were running plays. On the Bears’ second play of the day, Fields completed an 18-yard pass to Mooney. On Chicago’s next offensive possession, the quarterback and wide receiver connected on a 51-yard pass on the first play.
FIELDS TO DARNELL MOONEY. SHEESH.
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/J09EFyk4Z3
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 2, 2022
It appeared that Fields was on point and accurate at the beginning of the game, but Getsy failed to adjust to give his quarterback more passing options. Following the drive that featured the 51-yard pass to Mooney, Chicago had three more offensive possessions with a combined 23 plays, with only one having a passing attempt on first down. On the Bears’ first play of the second half, Fields connected with tight end Trevon Wesco for a 23-yard completion. This pass was the only first-down passing attempt for the Bears in the second half until the final drive with 20 seconds left on the game.
It is troubling that Getsy never adjusted his offensive game plan with the way Fields was throwing the ball on first-down. Chicago’s offense could have had more success in the second half if there had been more passing attempts for their quarterback, especially on first-down. Additionally, having more creativity on first-down by passing the ball could have led to better results running the ball, as the Giants defense wouldn’t have been able to predict the Bears’ offense.
Justin Fields was under pressure on 51.4% of his dropbacks against the Giants.
On plays where he was kept clean, he went 10-of-14 for 168 yards, with a PFF grade of 90.3
— Lorin Cox (@CoxSports1) October 3, 2022
There Were Other Areas Where Trust Was Not Apparent For Chicago’s Offense
It wasn’t just Fields that Getsy appeared to have little to no faith in on Sunday as Chicago’s rookie wide receiver Velus Jones Jr did not record a single snap on offense. Jones made his NFL debut after missing the first three games of the season with a hamstring issue. The rookie wide receiver was drafted by general manager Ryan Poles in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft and was regarded as one of the fastest wide-receiving prospects in the draft.
Not a perfect comparison, but I see Velus Jones Jr. being a bit of a Tarik Cohen draft pick for the #Bears.
In 2017 before they made big moves on offense, they added Cohen as a do-it-all gadget guy to fill touches. Getting similar vibes with Velus before they add WR1 next year.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) May 7, 2022
During the offseason and preseason, there were high expectations as Jones’ speed was expected to give the Bears a boost on offense with a threat of unpredictability. The rookie wide receiver was projected to be a gadget player for Chicago’s offense who could make plays in the rushing and passing game. Although Jones was making his NFL debut and has battled a hamstring injury since mid-August, Getsy failed to work the rookie into the offense, even if it was as a decoy in pre-snap motions.
If Getsy and Eberflus are reluctant to allow Fields to pass, they need to give Chicago’s rushing offense a better opportunity to succeed, including being as creative as possible. Without starting running back David Montgomery, Chicago’s offense failed to provide any of their wide receivers with a rushing attempt, despite Equanimeous St. Brown recording 43 rushing yards on two rushing attempts against the Houston Texans a week prior. Sunday’s loss was the first time in three weeks that the Bears didn’t have a rushing attempt over 20 yards.
First quarter ends at Soldier Field with #Bears leading 10-7. Offense has rolled up 110 yards rushing (41 on one play by Equanimeous St. Brown & 29 on one play by Justin Fields).
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) September 25, 2022
Sunday’s loss to the Giants was disappointing as there were improvements made by Fields, but there was more to be desired, especially with the play-calling. Eberflus and Getsy appeared content with deploying a safe and mistake-free game on offense, although there were several opportunities to open the game up. Chicago’s coaching staff claims to have faith in Fields, but that faith is proven false when the offensive play-designs continuously take the ball out of the quarterback’s hands.
Could it be that the Run heavy offense has a lot to do with lack of trust in our Def as much as anything? Could it be meant to keep the D on the bench as much a possible? It’s an often used strategy, used most often against stud QBs, but it is not limited to that!
I feel the Bears repeated the same mistake they did with Nagy. Inexperience in the Bears coaching ranks is holding this team back. I don’t pay much attention to talking heads that never play – but I do give Hall of Fame Bears, and Super Bowl champs a listening ear. Dan Hampton and Ed Obradovich say Eberflus and Getsy are frauds thus far, and Williams was turned into a defensive idiot by the Giants.
So, Nagy’s offense is looking better than Getsy’s so far? Unreal.
When the o line can pass protect better than they have been doing, I’d bet they’ll call more pass plays.
This whole playing not to lose mentality is what gets Defensive head coaches fired. I love running the football but everyone knows a one dimensional team cannot win (unless it is the Giants against a Flus defense).