Justin Fields latest stat continues to expose his late game struggles
The Chicago Bears came away with a big morale win for the locker room while winning their fourth straight game at home in Week 16. However, despite the win over the Arizona Cardinals, Bears quarterback Justin Fields had one blemish on his otherwise solid outing. While it's not fair to point out the only flaw from […]
The Chicago Bears came away with a big morale win for the locker room while winning their fourth straight game at home in Week 16.
However, despite the win over the Arizona Cardinals, Bears quarterback Justin Fields had one blemish on his otherwise solid outing.
While it's not fair to point out the only flaw from an 11-point victory, it's necessary when it's one that has continued to be shown throughout the season.
According to The Athletic's Kevin Fishbain, Fields is now tied for the league-lead with six fourth quarter interceptions in 2023 following his turnover on the team's opening drive of the final quarter on Sunday.
It's not a good look for a player looking to win over the front office in order to remain the team's franchise quarterback. It's even worse considering Fields is tied with Jordan Love (who is in his first full season as a starter) and Sam Howell (who has now been benched twice this season). The stat is even more concerning when factoring in that Fields has played in 11 of the Bears 15 games and has nine total interceptions on the season.
And it's not just a 2023 problem. As Fishbain also mentioned, Fields has 12 fourth quarter interceptions dating back to the start of the 2022 season, which is three more than any other quarterback in the entire league.
While many were quick to point fingers toward the blocking up-front or the play of the targeted receivers as the cause for the many interceptions, it's hard to place the blame in on other factors when it continues to happen nearly every week.
On the play on Sunday, Fields attempted to force the ball into the end zone but the pass fell short and was intercepted by Jalen Thompson, who made a phenomenal play on the ball. To make it worse, Fields wanted to take the shot targeted to running back Khalil Herbert with two defenders on him in coverage while inside the redzone on 1st and 10.
It was a surefire drive to end in points. If the Bears came away with at least three points on that drive, it would have made it at least a 17 point game with a little over 10 minutes remaining. Instead, the Cardinals capitalized on the turnover by leading a 10 play touchdown drive to make it a one possession game.
Luckily the outcome turned out in the Bears favor but those types of late game blunders in key situations can lose games for any team in the NFL, and they have for the Bears this season.
Three of Fields' six fourth quarter interceptions came on the Bears final drive of the game, all three of which ended in losses. These are the exact type of plays that Bears general manager Ryan Poles and the front office are looking to see Fields avoid, not continue to make, while considering whether or not he can be the long-term starter.
Justin Fields hasn’t shown key trait necessary to be a franchise quarterback
His late game struggles continued
