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 […]
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 a touchdown.
Chicago's usage of Fields in the run game, which was almost nonexistent in the Bears' loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week (four attempts for three yards), has generated plenty of debate about the team's offensive philosophy when it comes to the quarterback.
Fields, after all, rushed for 1,143 yards last season (nearly breaking Lamar Jackson's record for quarterback rushing yards in a season). His legs are obviously a big weapon and to not utilize that weapon seems like a major missed opportunity for the Bears.
If you want to blame Fields for the lack of quarterback runs, you might want to look elsewhere.
The former Ohio State quarterback acknowledged on Wednesday that he's been playing too robotic and overthinking, which has clearly led to less "freedom" in the way Fields plays.
When asked why he's been thinking too much, Fields suggested that it's "coaching".
You don't often see quarterbacks throw their coaches under the bus so publicly. And that's not to say that Fields is wrong here, it's just not something you usually see from a starting quarterback.
Fields, however, is probably correct. Chicago's insistence in making Fields a pure pocket passer while focusing on quick short throws (to combat offensive line issues) has essentially put a governor on the quarterback's electric abilities.
Unfortunately for Chicago, it appears that Fields' relationship with the coaching staff is approaching the point of no return.
If Bears head coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Luke Getsy want to stick around in Chicago for a while, they'll have to figure out a way to make it work with Fields. And their best bet would be to focus on Fields' strengths instead of forcing him to be the type of quarterback they think he should be.
Otherwise, it's not going to work out with Fields and this staff. And there's no almost no way that Eberflus will be afforded the opportunity to develop another quarterback in Chicago if it doesn't work out with Fields. He either gets it right with Fields, or he'll be searching for a new opportunity in the NFL sooner than he anticipated.
Featured image via Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
