In the high-stakes world of NFL, the rapport between a quarterback and his offensive play caller is paramount. Recognizing this, head coach Matt Eberflus made a conscious choice to bring onboard Luke Getsy, known for his knack for effective quarterback communication. Last year, the duo of Getsy and Justin Fields proved their mettle by dynamically adapting the scheme midseason, helping Fields shine. Yet, both were aware that progress had to continue in 2023.
To maximize his potential, Fields knew that relying heavily on his legwork, like in the previous year, wouldn't cut it. Instead, he needed to take greater ownership of the Bears' offense. While this didn't mean taking charge in the huddle, it did involve more audibles, tweaks to protection plans, and adjustments in wide receiver routes—areas that Fields didn't venture much into last season due to his then-limited understanding of the system.
But, as Jeremy Fowler of ESPN observes, this year has marked a significant shift. He states, "Justin Fields is clearing a final hurdle for top quarterbacks." History bears witness that the most revered quarterbacks, from Terry Bradshaw, Ken Stabler, Boomer Esiason to Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers, often had near-total command over their offense. While some coaches still hold onto a centralized control ethos, this approach doesn't always yield the best results, unless you're someone like Andy Reid or Sean Payton. Thus, empowering the quarterback with more freedom often makes more strategic sense.
Being on the field, quarterbacks can perceive things that coaches might miss from the sideline. Fields has already dropped some promising hints of his evolution as a passer since last season. For instance, one of his most commendable throws at camp last week was a result of his astute analysis of what safety Eddie Jackson would do in coverage. According to Fowler, this is just one of the many instances over the past couple of months that underscore Fields' increasing comfort with the offense. The fact that Getsy is letting go of control and granting Fields more autonomy only serves to bolster the optimism for the upcoming games.
