Insane stat gives Bears fans another reason to believe in Justin Fields
There are plenty of reasons as to why the football world began to fall in love with Chicago bears QB Justin Fields in 2022. Bears fans understand there is still plenty of room to improve, but his rare athleticism helps to bide his time as he continues to develop as a passer. In his first […]
There are plenty of reasons as to why the football world began to fall in love with Chicago bears QB Justin Fields in 2022. Bears fans understand there is still plenty of room to improve, but his rare athleticism helps to bide his time as he continues to develop as a passer.
In his first season as the full-time starter, Fields’ primary asset was his speed. With a group of inept pass-catchers and a porous offensive line, Fields was often left with no choice other to take it upon himself and make plays with his legs.
Fields certainly struggled with consistency, but his flashes of excellence were enough to inspire hope within the fanbase. However, it’s easy for Fields’ positives to get lost in the shuffle during a disappointing 3-14 season.
He finished just 63 rushing yards shy of Lamar Jackson’s single-season rushing record by a quarterback (1,206) set in 2019. It’s important to note that Fields missed two games, including the season finale in which he was held out of.
It’s difficult to properly put Fields’ rushing abilities into perspective. After all, most of his runs weren’t straight line dashed. But the NFL's Next Gen Stats has helped quantify his insane level of speed.
According to Next Gen Stats, Fields reached 20+ miles per hour on nine different plays last season. The only player to hit that benchmark more often was Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill who did it 10 times.
General manager Ryan Poles has assembled the right supporting cast over the offseason, positioning Fields for a breakout campaign in 2023.
In order for Fields to transition into the All-Pro quarterback that many believe he can be, it’s going to be important to use his arm on a more frequent basis in 2023. With that being said, Fields’ speed will always keep defensive coordinators up at night, and this jaw-dropping statistic backs that up.
