Justin Fields is in the middle of a furious debate between Chicago Bears fans. Many believe he’s the victim of a bad surrounding situation. Not only does he have a new offense to learn, but the supporting cast is subpar across the board. Others think the quarterback is making things worse with his decision-making. He still doesn’t take easier throws when available, holds the ball too long, and abandons the pocket when it isn’t necessary. Both sides have fair points. It would be interesting to hear thoughts from other players in the locker room. Enter Lucas Patrick.
The interior offensive lineman is new to Chicago. He was always impressed with Fields’ natural ability but wasn’t sure what to make of him as a true quarterback. Having worked with the guy for months now, there is no such uncertainty anymore. When assessing the offense’s problems, Patrick put it entirely on the offensive line. They haven’t done a good enough job protecting Fields, himself included. He told Bears reporters, including 670 The Score, that if the line does its job, this is a quarterback that can be a star.
“If we keep him clean or we give him a rush lane to sneak out, he’s a very special player,” Patrick said of Fields. “We have to live up to the standard that we have in our room and really help him become the elite player that he is. You can’t change my mind that that guy is not a future stud in this league. The way he throws it, the way he’s consistent, the way he’s run, just his positive personality.
“We just got to be better for him because he deserves it.”
Lucas Patrick has a fair point.
It probably isn’t a coincidence that Fields’ two best games this year came in ones where he was sacked the least. Logic dictates that less pressure faced should lead to better performances. Right now, the Bears aren’t there. The offensive line is central to that issue. The entire left side of their offensive line, from left tackle to center, has been routinely beaten over the past three weeks. Braxton Jones looks like the rookie he is. Patrick has underperformed at left guard. Sam Mustipher has been brutal in the middle.
The task isn’t getting any easier too. They have New England with their capable pass rush up next, followed by Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys a week later. Fields may not survive the next ten days, never mind the rest of the season. It falls to Lucas Patrick and the front five to step up their play. Perhaps that comes with some changes to the formula. Rumors persist the Bears might move him to center in place of Mustipher. Most agree that is his more natural position.
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That, at least, would be something. Whatever stability they can find would be welcomed.
Lucas is the one speaking on this, yet he may actually be their worst lineman. I’d reallyyyyy like to see him finally move to Center and see if he improves his play, and give one of the other young guys a shot at that LG position. No matter which side of the fence you are on with Fields ability, which I am split down the middle on personally, no one can deny the O-Line absolutely has to do better for him.
Not convinced this guy is any good based on his play as bear thus far. Prove me wrong.
Patrick should stick to helping the offensive line get better. Who is the offensive line coach anyway maybe that would be a good start he certainly hasn’t done a very good job of improving the O-line.
He had a busted finger and couldn’t snap the ball that was the delay to center, now he should move there. Mustipher isn’t it.
If you got Lucas in free agency to play center play him at center if you have capable replacements at guard it’s not that hard you gave Sam every opportunity you could he didn’t take advantage move on
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