The Chicago Bears have repeatedly failed to cultivate the quarterback position over the past several decades. It is why the rest of the NFL has left them in the dust for so long. Fans are praying Justin Fields can finally be that savior. Last season wasn’t the first impression they were hoping for. Now many enter 2022 with pessimism. Former wide receivers coach Mike Furrey understands. He was around the league for a long time. He’s seen QBs bust in the past.
He saw it happen with Brady Quinn in Cleveland. Does he fear the same with Fields? The short answer is no. He appeared on The Chris Shanafelt & DJ Moore Show to discuss his time in Chicago and interaction with several key players, including Fields. He is confident the young quarterback has everything required to thrive in the NFL. What the Bears need to give him is something many teams these days aren’t willing to offer.
Time.
“I think Justin Fields has every intangible to be a great player in this league. Mentally and physically. I don’t think you can put everything on his shoulders. You can’t ask him to do that and use him as a scapegoat or as an example. I think you’ve got to give him an opportunity. How long is that opportunity to allow a young man to grow? Hopefully, he’ll have an opportunity to do it with some time.”
Mike Furrey understands the value of patience.
He saw that work out during his playing career too. Marc Bulger became a Pro Bowl quarterback for the St. Louis Rams after spending a few years learning behind Kurt Warner. He pointed out how Aaron Rodgers did the same thing in Green Bay. History shows that when teams are willing to give their young quarterbacks a chance to learn, the results are often favorable. The worst thing the Bears can do is abandon ship after two seasons.
They must be willing to see this thing through. Give him time to learn the offense. Build out the roster around him. Be ready to accept the inevitable low points that are coming. Mike Furrey understands that quarterbacks take time. Instant stars like Justin Herbert or Andrew Luck are the exception, not the rule.
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The good news is Field has already begun showing signs of progress. His consistency in practice is improving. Accuracy shows up more often, and his leadership has blossomed. The results should be favorable if the Bears throw their full support behind him.
Who cares what Mike Furrey thinks, he was a terrible receivers coach. The Bears recievers were never open when he was coaching. Who did he develop as reciever? I believe that some of the Bears passing issues was poor reciever coaching, but, he was Naggy’s buddy.
You can’t have it both ways, Erik. The two examples you cite as a good idea are exactly the plan that Matt Nagy tried to use last year which you now so vehemently criticize. Wait and learn or play and learn – which is it?
Time? Sure, take your time. What’s the rush? Angelo rushed out to trade for a fantastic young QB once and that wasted about 8 years. I’ll give him this year to improve and next year to start polishing. In the meantime, keep drafting QB’s and get them started on the system.