Fields: From the lens of Chicago

[purplefaithful]

This wasn’t a breakthrough game, but it was the kind of game that validates what offensive coordinator Luke Getsy said last week when he hammered the point that Fields is getting better. The numbers, of course, said otherwise, but Getsy was unwavering in his support, and Fields held up at the noisy road venue while having to work with a silent count and the spotty talent he has been given at wide receiver.
Fields finished 15 of 21 for 208 yards with one touchdown on a short toss to rookie Velus Jones Jr., who motored 9 yards to the end zone. Fields played a turnover-free game and ran the ball eight times for a team-high 47 yards.
The 208 passing yards is Fields’ fifth-highest career total, but what stood out was the poise he operated with, the biggest reason he completed 71.4% of his passes. That’s significant considering he was below 51% through four games. There weren’t any of the fireworks you expect to see from young star quarterbacks, but keep in mind where the Bears are coming from and realize if Fields is going to pan out, it’s a long process.

This game didn’t validate Fields as the long-term answer for the Bears, but Getsy said Fields has been “growing tremendously” and this was the first time you could look at the performance and not feel like someone was pulling your leg — like former Bears offensive coordinator Terry Shea was when he gave himself a B grade for directing one of the worst offenses in the league.

“The important thing is that we stay focused, keep our eyes on that progress or on that process and we make sure we get better each and every week, and I believe that we’re in that phase,” Getsy said last week, a reminder that the team is on a journey and not a weekend adventure with the second-year quarterback.
“I think we took a step forward for sure,” Fields said. “Felt like the protection was better. We definitely handled their blitz better than last week, so I felt like we took a step forward in that.

“Just overall proud of everybody and the way they fought. We were down 21-3. A lot of teams in this league would’ve laid down and stopped playing, but I’m proud of our guys and the way they fought.”
A shot to tie the game — or even win it with a two-point conversion — ended when wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette was stripped from behind by Vikings cornerback Cameron Dantzler. But Fields was poised. The moment didn’t appear too big for him. He immediately responded from an 11-yard sack by slipping a quick pass to Montgomery and watching him weave 21 yards for a first down.

There wasn’t panic, and these are moments we’ve seen the Bears offense implode in recent years.
“Just his usual confidence,” said tight end Cole Kmet, who caught four passes for 45 yards. “That’s never left him, so it’s always been there and that was cool to see. He was kind of taking control, and I think we all rallied around him in that second half to be able to move the ball.”
Fields was more purposeful in trying to get the ball to Mooney. While Mooney caught only two passes for 52 yards, the Bears benefited from a 20-yard pass interference call on cornerback Patrick Peterson in the first quarter, and shortly after that, Fields took a shot at Mooney in the end zone that was just off.

It’s always better to measure progress in terms of victories — and bigger stat lines eventually will need to come — but this was better in nearly every respect for Fields, especially when the Bears were trailing by three scores after only 1½ quarters.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bears/ct-cb-chicago-bears-10-thoughts-justin-fields-20221010-vvqn6gjoofadrbwyrlfjkh2w7y-story.html

[Guest]

we do have a tendency to make mediocre quarterbacks look like Hall of Famer‘s

[Guest]

@AGRforever said:
we do have a tendency to make mediocre quarterbacks look like Hall of Famer‘s

This

[Guest]

@AGRforever said:
we do have a tendency to make mediocre quarterbacks look like Hall of Famer‘s

Agreed! And I think Bears fans would be wise to remember that. I personally think Fields is a huge bust so far and don't see him being able to overcome both his situation and shortcomings.

[Guest]

He's going to have ups and downs. He's still learning. Next week he could look like hot dog shit. The media tends to exaggerate both the good and bad week to week. 

[Guest]

We always make crappy Bears QBs look like HOFers.  They go back to normal the next week.

[Guest]

@StickyBun said:
He's going to have ups and downs. He's still learning. Next week he could look like hot dog shit. The media tends to exaggerate both the good and bad week to week. 

And he did look like hot dog shit this week.  Red zone INT early...  Then completely overthrew a WIDE OPEN tight end on a great play design that should have been an easy TD.  Bears end up going for it on 4th down and get stuffed...

[Guest]

@Wetlander said:

@StickyBun said:
He's going to have ups and downs. He's still learning. Next week he could look like hot dog shit. The media tends to exaggerate both the good and bad week to week. 

And he did look like hot dog shit this week.  Red zone INT early...  Then completely overthrew a WIDE OPEN tight end on a great play design that should have been an easy TD.  Bears end up going for it on 4th down and get stuffed...

I usually cheer for our division foes to lose but in the bears case all it does is help their draft next season. Guess the grads is always greener. 

[Guest]

@AGRforever said:

@Wetlander said:

@StickyBun said:
He's going to have ups and downs. He's still learning. Next week he could look like hot dog shit. The media tends to exaggerate both the good and bad week to week. 

And he did look like hot dog shit this week.  Red zone INT early...  Then completely overthrew a WIDE OPEN tight end on a great play design that should have been an easy TD.  Bears end up going for it on 4th down and get stuffed...

I usually cheer for our division foes to lose but in the bears case all it does is help their draft next season. Guess the grads is always greener. 

Same, I would love for Washington to feel broken when we play them in a couple weeks as well.  Would have been nice for the Bears to win to keep both franchises mediocre at best.

[Guest]

Justin Fields Flashes Bright Bears Future in MNF Beatdown vs. Patriots

For one night in primetime, everything came together. The Bears found their blueprint of how to transform Fields from a struggling youngster into a franchise quarterback.
In doing so, the organization can help build his confidence for when the team actually has a good support system around him and fully unleash the talented athlete.
As the offensive line improves, Fields will be asked to work from the pocket more, and he should be comfortable doing so. With added pieces at the skill positions, the quarterback won't be asked to be the primary playmaker at all times. He will eventually be able to rely on others to create with the ball in their hands.
The Bears did a pitiful job this past offseason properly building around Fields. The coaching staff just now reached the point where it's fully utilizing his skill set. As long as the group continues to build on what everyone saw Monday night, previous disappointment will wash away, and the excitement of Fields' initial selection will return with gusto.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10053495-justin-fields-flashes-bright-bears-future-in-mnf-beatdown-vs-patriots?utm_source=cnn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial