Most people will pin the Chicago Bears’ latest loss to the Green Bay Packers on Justin Fields because of his two costly 4th quarter interceptions. That is inevitable. He’s the quarterback and can’t afford mistakes like that. Still, context is always crucial in these situations. The interception that mattered most was one he threw to Jaire Alexander with under three minutes left. Green Bay had taken a 20-19 lead, but Fields had Chicago in their territory and driving. He then fired a pass to Equanimeous St. Brown that Alexander cut in front of for the pick.
Immediate reactions were it was a bad decision by the quarterback. Further examination revealed more of the fault lay with St. Brown. He ran a poor route, coming out of it too slow and compounding that failure by not coming back to the ball as it was thrown. Fields, who seldom calls out teammates for mistakes during press conferences, couldn’t help but lament St. Brown’s error.
“You just like to see the receiver come back to the ball. We always just try to tell the receivers that those DBs want that pick each and every time, so they’re going to attack that ball.”
Alexander offered further confirmation. He stated after the game that he knew St. Brown was too slow out of his breaks. Knowledge won from the two being teammates for years. That made it far easier to step in front of the pass.
Justin Fields still has no playmakers at wide receiver.
Darnell Mooney was the closest thing to it, but he has limitations too. Chase Claypool injured his knee in the game. That left St. Brown and N’Keal Harry as the only other options. Nobody is afraid of that group. Until the Bears find guys that can make plays for Fields, his ceiling as a passer will be limited. Keep in mind he threw for 254 yards against the #4 pass defense in the NFL with that group. His progress as a passer is undeniable. The next step is finding talent that can take full advantage of it.
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St. Brown is a fine backup. He has a role to play. This is not a guy you want to target 4-5 times per game. Justin Fields needs a go-to guy. Somebody that defenses have to respect. Maybe not a Justin Jefferson but an A.J. Brown, CeeDee Lamb, or Cooper Kupp. It’s been several years since the Bears had somebody like that. GM Ryan Poles will have an opportunity to find one when the 2023 off-season begins. He’ll have tons of salary cap space and high draft choices to go find one.
There should be a tape that everyone has to watch before they comment. Some of you are basing your comments on what you hear from the announcers. Half the time they are getting the player wrong. The offense is putting up points with a practice squad of players. Three folks on the offensive line wouldn’t even make most rosters. Our tight end would be a backup. Harry in the doghouse. Claypool in the doghouse. Pettis was considered a bust. ESB couldn’t get on the field in GB. Even Montgomery is considered the third/fourth back in just this division. What do… Read more »
that’s entirely too fucking bad. ESB, the rest of the team, and the fans were more than patient when fields was making 1247 mistakes.
Montgomery was wide open 5 yds down the field
If the correct read is there and open, you throw it! The narrative becomes different if we catch the ball against Washington… twice. Driving down against Minnesota (no one knows what would’ve happened). When the team is trying to win, he IS in fact clutch (watch the Pittsburgh game). Moved the team last year against Minnesota only to be failed by play calling. No excuses for him but you have to want it. The QB wants to ball in his hands and the receivers have to want the rock. It doesn’t get easier than that. But you can’t say don’t… Read more »
This script has been quite familiar for 2022. The Bears within one score and only a few minutes left in the game. An opportunity to take the lead, win the game and prove themselves in the clutch. Yet, (nearly) every time, failure (HOU wk. 3 the exception). I understand that the WR core is weak and the O Line is very lacking, but we can’t keep making excuses for the result. Yes, ESB should’ve come back at the ball harder but you have to know who you’re throwing to and the game situation. ESB has failed in the clutch before… Read more »