Analyzing the Impact of Justin Fields' Agile Playmaking on his Teammates' Opportunities
Unleashing Justin Fields' Dynamic Mobility: A Game-Changing Advantage for His Teammates
No need for a lengthy introduction here. Let's cut to the chase: Justin Fields showcased a level of footwork prowess last season that the NFL had yet to witness from a quarterback. Each jaw-dropping moment left fans craving more. Fields made sure opposing defenses took notice, drawing consistent extra attention by the end of the season. This not only created opportunities for himself but also opened up avenues for his teammates to capitalize on.
However, Fields faced the unfortunate reality of having teammates who didn't possess the necessary talent to fully exploit these opportunities. Dante Pettis, Michael Schofield, Larry Borom, and others fell short in maximizing their potential. Nevertheless, we caught glimpses early on of how attempts to contain Fields could backfire in 2023. And that's precisely what we'll be dissecting today. Let's dive right in.
The Impact on the Passing Game
While we could talk endlessly about the effectiveness of Fields' scrambling abilities, it's important to acknowledge the mere threat of his mobility. This threat alone forces defenses to slow down their pass rush and focus on containment. It's worth noting that when a pass rusher successfully beats an offensive tackle, they inadvertently create a running lane for the quarterback to exploit and wreak havoc on the defense with their legs!
Fields capitalized on these running lanes during the early stages of the season, consistently converting first downs. As a result, defensive coordinators began employing strategies to fence Fields within the pocket. In 2023, this approach should ideally lead to more plays like the one illustrated below:
As defensive ends rush to contain Fields, the natural consequence is that offensive tackles are left with more manageable assignments. This, in turn, provides Fields with extended unpressured time in the pocket. With the addition of DJ Moore (and the return of Darnell Mooney), the revamped Bears' passing game aims to make defenses pay for leaving Fields alone.
Now, we could delve into a separate discussion about how Fields' mobility will likely force defenses to assign a spy on passing downs, thus diminishing their coverage net. However, let's save that conversation for another day. For now, let's focus on the impact Fields' fleet-footedness has on...
The Running Game
The Bears' clash against the Bills showcased an intriguing twist as the defense, which is typically composed and calculated, overreacted to Fields' mobility threat on almost every handoff. Interestingly, this created favorable opportunities for his teammates.
In the play depicted below, Fields freezes the defensive end, who should have crashed down towards David Montgomery, considering the cornerback is blitzing. Additionally, Fields freezes the oncoming blitzer, single-handedly occupying two defenders and creating a 7-on-6 scenario for the Bears' run blockers. It's safe to say the blockers emerged victorious, as Montgomery burst into wide-open space, racking up nearly 22 yards before being touched and setting up the Bears for a potential score.
I've compiled a brief video explaining the pre-snap dynamics seen from the defense. Feel free to give it a watch if you're curious! However, the bottom line is that Fields' mere presence forced the defensive end into hesitation, and in the NFL, hesitation spells defeat.
Undoubtedly, Justin Fields must continue to excel through the air to become a truly complete quarterback. However, it's worth noting that Fields' agility has earned him the respect of his opponents. I'm eager to witness how Luke Getsy, the Bears' offensive coordinator, can leverage the defensive adjustments compelled by Fields' rushing threat. The possibilities are tantalizing, and the impact could be game-changing.
| POLL | ||
13 JUILLET | 32 ANSWERS Analyzing the Impact of Justin Fields' Agile Playmaking on his Teammates' Opportunities Will Justin Fields win an MVP in his career? | ||
| Yes | 21 | 65.6 % |
| No | 11 | 34.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
