Packers HC gives Justin Fields the ultimate compliment
Many expected tensions to be flaring leading up to Sunday's matchup between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers. Instead, both head coaches have offered nothing but compliments toward the players they will be set to face this weekend. Speaking with reporters on Wednesday after practice, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur was quick to rave […]
Many expected tensions to be flaring leading up to Sunday's matchup between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers. Instead, both head coaches have offered nothing but compliments toward the players they will be set to face this weekend.
Speaking with reporters on Wednesday after practice, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur was quick to rave about Bears' quarterback Justin Fields and his improvement going into this season.
"I think he’s extremely talented," LaFleur said. "I think he's gotten better and better in the passing game. He's just a threat to score on every play because he's so dynamic.
Fields' development as a passer has been the headline for the Bears all offseason after the team ranked 32nd in passing yards per game in 2022. It's no question that the league's leading rushing attack would benefit substantially more if the unit could become more balanced this season.
Luckily, the Bears believe the passing game is set to improve drastically with the addition of wide receiver DJ Moore. Fields and Moore have already formed a dynamic combination throughout the preseason and the connection gives the Packers head coach a new aspect to factor when game planning against the third-year quarterback.
"You gotta account for not only his ability to throw the football, obviously adding a weapon like DJ Moore presents a whole new set set of challenges as well," LaFleur added. "Whether it's called run, whether they're using him in like a zone read type play, it's a drop back, play pass, or keeper whatever they want to do. You might have a concept glove, but he could pull it down and take it take it to the house. And we experienced that last year."
The Bears have yet to defeat the Packers since LaFleur took over as the team's head coach in 2019. In two games against the Packers last season, Fields totaled 415 scrimmage yards, along with two rushing touchdowns.
Fields' rushing ability paired with a new go-to option in the passing game could finally give the Bears' offense the spark they need to knock off their division rivals.
Top 3 storylines to watch in Bears home opener
A look at what’s at stake for the Bears against the Green Bay Packers this Sunday.
Featured image via Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports
