Latest injury news could set up Justin Fields for big day rushing
Chicago Bears' quarterback Justin Fields has vowed to change the way he's been playing lately prior to Week 3's game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Through the first two weeks of the season, Fields has looked unrecognizable in the Bears' offense. It's part of the reason the team is 0-2 for the first time since […]
Chicago Bears' quarterback Justin Fields has vowed to change the way he's been playing lately prior to Week 3's game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Through the first two weeks of the season, Fields has looked unrecognizable in the Bears' offense. It's part of the reason the team is 0-2 for the first time since 2017.
The Bears quarterback has proven to be one of the most dynamic runners in the entire NFL since entering the league. Yet, he only has 6.5 rushing attempts per game in 2023, compared to 10.6 attempts the season before.
Fields noted this week that he's not playing like himself this season and wants to play more freely this weekend against the defending Super Bowl Champs.
"My goal this week is just to go out there and say 'F it' and just go out there and play football how I know how to play football," Fields said while talking to the media on Wednesday. "That includes thinking less and just going out there and playing off instincts."
Utilizing his legs is not as simple as just designing more run plays for Fields. It's clear the Bears offense is attempting to challenge their quarterback to grow and showcase more of his abilities as a passer.
Fields' 33 pass attempts per game is more than 10 attempts higher than his average last season. The addition of wide receiver DJ Moore was made to make the Bears a more consistent passing offense. But that doesn't mean the unit should completely abandon using Fields in the run game.
Fortunately, there's a way to blend the passing offense offensive coordinator Luke Getsy envisions with Fields' threat as a runner, and it was shown briefly in Week 1 against the Packers.
It's true that Getsy wants to see Fields create more explosive plays downfield in the passing game, but it shouldn't come at the expense of making his quarterback singleminded.
According to ESPN, Fields is averaging the fifth-slowest time to throw with 2.98 seconds through the first two games of the season. If Fields wants to play more free in Week 3, he needs to use his instincts to know when to tuck the ball and run if the play isn’t developing, or if he doesn't trust the read, instead of taking unnecessary sacks.
Last season, Fields made defenses look silly by utilizing this mindset. Fields had more carries (70), yards (681) and first downs (37) on scramble runs than all other quarterbacks in the league in 2022, per Next Gen Stats.
With the improved weapons in the passing game Fields could play much smarter game of football this season if he can understand when to take off and when to air the ball out to the skill players.
For example, the Buccaneers in Week 2 weren't threatened by the scramble potential in Week 2 because he wasn't showing it, making it easy for the defense to tee off against Fields in the pocket and have blanket coverage downfield.
But there's reason to believe the explosive scramble plays might return this week against the Chiefs. According to StatMuse, the Kansas City Chiefs allowed 26.1 rushing yards per game against quarterbacks in 2022, the fifth-most in the league.
To make this matchup even more enticing for those wanting Fields to return to 2022 form running the ball, Chiefs middle linebacker Nick Bolton has now missed three straight days of practice this week and should be considered unlikely to play on Sunday against the Bears.
While speaking to reporters after Thursday's practice, Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo stated that linebacker Drue Tranquill is expected to start in Bolton's place. Tranquill joined the Chiefs this year after playing 16 games for the Chargers in 2022. Tranquill had a 48.8 run defense grade in 2022, according to Pro Football Focus.
The Chiefs defense has still proven to be formidable in 2023, allowing a combined two offensive touchdowns in their first two games of the season. If the Bears want to make it into the endzone on offense this weekend, Fields will have to be utilized as the dual-threat weapon he's been in the past.
Justin Fields is already pointing fingers at Bears problems
The Chicago Bears are suddenly dealing with some major in-season drama. Quarterback Justin Fields, who is entering this third season in the NFL, hasn't had a great start to the 2023 season. Fields has passed for 427 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions during the Bears' 0-2 start. He's rushed for only 62 yards and […]
Featured image via: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
