ESPN points out Bears QB Justin Fields' biggest weakness; why it's not something he needs to change
ESPN pointed out the biggest weakness this week for each NFL starting quarterback and they went with an obvious choice for Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields. Aaron Schatz suggested that Fields' biggest weakness is holding onto the ball too long and taking too many sacks. From ESPN: Fields' biggest weakness is simple: He takes too […]
ESPN pointed out the biggest weakness this week for each NFL starting quarterback and they went with an obvious choice for Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields.
Aaron Schatz suggested that Fields' biggest weakness is holding onto the ball too long and taking too many sacks.
Fields' biggest weakness is simple: He takes too many sacks. It will probably surprise you to learn that the Bears currently rank second in ESPN Analytics' pass block win rate. Yet the Bears also have the worst adjusted sack rate in the league. In fact, Chicago has a 12.6% ASR, and no other offense is above 10%.
Fields isn't the only quarterback that takes too many sacks because of holding onto the ball for too long. It's something that's plagued Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow at times. Even Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been guilty of it as well at times.
But the thing about those three quarterbacks is that they pull off some amazing plays because of holding onto the ball for so long.
With players like Fields, Burrow, and Mahomes, you have to accept that sacks are going to happen because of not throwing the ball away (though Mahomes seems to be adept at avoiding big hits). And at times, that can be extremely frustrating.
But the trade-off is a dazzling play that ends up on Sportscenter's top 10 plays of the week.
Bears fans obviously want to see Fields limit the sacks. And there are certainly times when he has to throw the ball away. But for Fields to be at his best, it means that some sacks that aren't the offensive line's fault are going to happen from time to time.
Featured image via Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports
