Justin Fields' improved mechanics have been a hot topic during Bears' voluntary workouts
Year 2 is all about improvement for Justin Fields. Matt Eberflus has already gone on record saying he expects a "big jump" from the Bears franchise quarterback in Year 2. Part of that big jump is better technique, fundamentals, timing – essentially, everything, as Eberflus recently put it. “I said last time in public that […]
Year 2 is all about improvement for Justin Fields.
Matt Eberflus has already gone on record saying he expects a "big jump" from the Bears franchise quarterback in Year 2. Part of that big jump is better technique, fundamentals, timing – essentially, everything, as Eberflus recently put it.
“I said last time in public that the development of him for the second year should be a big jump,” Eberflus said back in March. “It should be. That’s what we’re looking for. We’re looking for better technique, better fundamentals, better decision-making, better timing, everything."
The most important aspect in all of this is Fields' technique. His on-field play will only go as far as his technique improves.
Fortunately, based off what we've seen and heard so far this week, it sounds like he's making progress.
Fields was the first to discuss how he and offensive coordinator Luke Getsy have been working on his footwork in shotgun formations, which allows him to time his passes up more efficiently with the receivers' routes.
“One big thing was changing my drop,” Fields said Tuesday. “Last year in the gun, I had my right foot forward, so I’ve been working a lot on having my left foot forward in the gun.”
"It times it better with the routes and stuff like that so that’s why we do it," he later explained.
Eberflus noted afterward that he's personally seen Fields' footwork improve.
"I think that his footwork is getting a lot cleaner," he said. "And that’s going to help him get to the ball and get it out faster."
Which brings us to the second noticeable improvement in Fields' mechanics: his release.
Granted, this is only one video, but you can see a quicker, more efficient release, below:
This improvement is key for Fields and it needs to continue. Slower releases not only allow cornerbacks to close on receivers/routes/the ball quicker, but it allows the pass rush to get home on a more frequent basis, as well.
Per Next Gen Stats, Fields was the sixth-slowest quarterback when it came to getting the ball out of his hands. Pro Football Focus has Fields at a 3.06 mark, which was fifth-slowest in 2021.
Now, of course, that could also be a result of him simply being a rookie and a lack of receiving options (a bad offensive scheme comes to mind, as well), but it's clear that Fields' release needed work regardless of surrounding circumstances.
But what ties everything together is Darnell Mooney's recent comments. He and Fields got together in Atlanta back in March to work out and Mooney noticed a different passer once they started putting in work.
"Last year, he threw it extremely hard," Mooney said Thursday. "Like, he was eager to get the ball out of his hand. He knew his arm was strong.
"He's grown to get some touch on it and it's a nice ball, a very nice ball. When we were in Atlanta training, he was throwing the ball really, really great. …It was one day he was throwing the ball extremely well and I'm like, 'Alright, this is my last time complimenting you, but, good ass ball.'
"He's been throwing the ball really good, man."
It's only April, but it sounds like everything is going about as well as it can for Fields in Year 2. Hopefully that continues throughout the offseason and more importantly: into the regular season.
Featured image via Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
