Pick-six proves how dysfunctional Bears offense truly is
Bears fans are seeming to turn more on their starting quarterback with each passing week and it's not entirely his fault. However, after the Week 2 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Fields is unfortunately continuing to steer himself down that road and the play calls from offensive coordinator Luke Getsy aren’t helping him beat the […]
Bears fans are seeming to turn more on their starting quarterback with each passing week and it's not entirely his fault.
However, after the Week 2 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Fields is unfortunately continuing to steer himself down that road and the play calls from offensive coordinator Luke Getsy aren’t helping him beat the doubters.
The 27-17 defeat was essentially sealed on one play after a screen pass intended for running back Khalil Herbert was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by Buccaneers edge rusher Shaquill Barrett, giving the Buccaneers a 10-point lead in the final minutes of the game.
The Buccaneers defense ran the ideal play and Fields simply couldn't process what was happening. Barrett faked to be rushing on the play, then dropped back into coverage right in the perfect location. From there, Tampa's defense was able to push Barrett into the endzone for the score.
While speaking to the media after the game on Sunday, Fields failed to own up his mistake and instead referred to the error as simply a bad situation and a good defensive play.
"I think that's a tough spot regarding play calls for [Getsy] in that position," Fields said. "He went with his gut and number seven [Barrett] ended up making a good play. So, it is what it is."
"I saw Khalil [Herbert] open and then, I'm guessing [Barrett] just reacted back," Fields added. "He felt screen and went back and, of course, picked it off. But yeah, in that situation, it's tough."
Bears head coach Matt Eberflus backed up his offensive coordinator and mentioned the intricacies needed to make that type of play successful and the criticism that can come his way if it's not.
"It's great when it works," Eberflus said after the game. "It's great when it works, and when it doesn't everybody's going to criticize. So, it is what it is. We're going to look at it. We'll look at it back there in that part of the field, and we'll see where it is."
The problem wasn't with the result, it was Fields' continued struggle with reading the defense and not taking accountability of the offense. However, the play calling isn't coming remotely close to helping out the young quarterback, even the other players on the Buccaneers defense knew the big play was coming.
“They called a screen. It was the same formation, everybody knew what was coming,” Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David said after the game.
Backed up to their own endzone, the Bears ran an exact copy of the play that resulted in the interception on the previous down. However, the play was originally called back after wide receiver Chase Claypool was charged with an offensive pass interference penalty, believing the play was a run and not a screen.
Chicago decided to run it back with the exact same play call and the Buccaneers had the trap ready for it. After taking a day to review the play, Eberflus added that he believes the play was still there as long as right guard Ja'Tyre Carter didn't just chip Barrett, causing him to remain right in the passing lane.
Whatever the case may be, the result was another overall embarrassment for the Bears offense. And as the franchise quarterback, it's Fields responsibility to shoulder the blame for those kind of critical errors. It's overall just another sign that this entire offense is nowhere near operating in an effective manner this season.
Bears still in dire need of answers after 0-2 start
Team currently on worst start to the season since 2017
Featured image via: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
