Matt Eberflus reveals his expectations for Justin Fields in 2022
Justin Fields is entering his second season in the NFL, but it's his first season with Matt Eberflus as his head coach. Based off how 2021 went for the Bears, it's safe to assume that both parties want to help improve the team in 2022. Part of that improvement will depend on how Fields plays […]
Justin Fields is entering his second season in the NFL, but it's his first season with Matt Eberflus as his head coach. Based off how 2021 went for the Bears, it's safe to assume that both parties want to help improve the team in 2022.
Part of that improvement will depend on how Fields plays in 2022. Eberflus spoke with the media Tuesday and discussed a variety of topics and as it turned out, one of those topics was his expectations for Fields' development in Year 2.
"I said last time in public that the development of him for the second year should be a big jump," Eberflus told reporters. "It should be. That's what we're looking for. We're looking for better technique, better fundamentals, better decision-making, better timing, everything.
"He's all on board on that. He's excited about where he is and he's been working his tail off. That's what we want, just that big jump from Year 1 to Year 2."
Fields finished with the second-worst completion percentage among starting quarterbacks (58.9%) and threw just seven touchdowns to 10 interceptions in 2021. His total QBR of 26.4 was good for dead last, as well.
But it's not all bad. There are certain areas of Fields' game that stand out. For instance, he had a higher adjust completion percentage on throws of 20+ air yards than guys like Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Joe Burrow, and Derek Carr, per Pro Football Focus. Overall, he finished 13th in adjusted completion percentage among quarterbacks with at least 22 pass attempts of 20+ air yards. He was also the fifth-highest graded quarterback on deep throws and his big-time throw rate (34.8) was fifth-best, as well.
Fields also showed his mobility to be a strong point in 2021. His 420 rushing yards and 5.8 yards per carry were both fifth-best among all quarterbacks.
One reason why Eberflus has strong expectations for Fields is the presence of new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, who comes over from Green Bay. He was the Packers passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach the last couple of seasons and had a big hand in helping Rodgers win back-to-back MVPs.
"In terms of where he [Getsy] is as a coach, his track record speaks for itself," Eberflus said. "You know his development of receivers, you know quarterbacks, what he's done in college. He's a great piece to our staff."
The Bears have to get more weapons for Fields if they have strong expectations, though. Eberflus can't expect him to take that huge leap if the offensive line is still bad and there are limited options to throw to or carry the ball. So far, the Bears haven't made any surefire moves that will correct those problems. And they don't have a ton of draft picks to fix the situation, either.
Regardless, it's not just Eberflus that's expecting a lot of improvement from Fields in 2022. Everyone associated with the Bears, whether it be the organization or fans, are expecting a jump, too.
It remains to be seen when it comes to what happens, but one thing we know for sure is whatever happens in 2022 will certainly have an effect on how the franchise moves forward in 2023 and beyond.
Featured image via Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
