Is Justin Fields at the 'Hail Mary' Moment?
Is Justin Fields finally proving himself as the quarterback the Bears always hoped for in the final five games, especially after leading a game-winning drive against Minnesota?
The post-game scenes in the locker room, with GM Ryan Poles and coach Matt Eberflus offering enthusiastic hugs to Fields, seemed to suggest that he had finally made a significant breakthrough in everyone's eyes with his comeback against the Vikings.
However, Fields himself acknowledged that he was partly responsible for the deficit they had to overcome, given his two fumbles. He admitted that the deep pass to DJ Moore for 36 yards to win the game should never have been necessary.
While Fields has undoubtedly shown improvement over his last 17 games, accumulating 4,217 total offensive yards, 25 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions, and a 93 QB rating, his decision-making and ability to read defenses under pressure remain areas of concern.
During a discussion on WSCR's Mully & Haugh show, Tribune Bears beat columnist Brad Biggs raised a critical question: Can Justin Fields be the quarterback who can lead the Bears deep into the playoffs, not just get them there?
The Bears had a quarterback in Mitchell Trubisky who managed to secure playoff berths twice but lacked the ability to take control of a game with crucial decisions and downfield throws against formidable playoff opponents. Even in the infamous double-doink loss, it was the defense that primarily kept them in contention, not Trubisky's standout performance.
Fields undoubtedly brings excitement and big-play potential to the offense, but there are lingering doubts about whether he is the long-term solution. To convince skeptics, he needs to seize the moment in these final games of the season convincingly.
There are several challenges Fields must overcome:
1. Crunch Time:
While Fields broke his game-winning drought in the last game, much of his positive performance has occurred earlier in games. His fourth-quarter statistics, including a passer rating of 64.0 (ranking 33rd in the league), a completion percentage of 55% (ranking 37th), and yards per attempt of 6.52 (ranking 22nd), indicate room for improvement in clutch situations.
2. Carelessness:
Fields has fumbled the ball 35 times in 35 games, a concerning statistic. Lamar Jackson, known for fumbling, has 53 fumbles in 82 games. Fields needs to demonstrate better ball security and decision-making, as illustrated by his two recent fumbles.
3. Decision Making:
Fields' decision-making needs refinement. He sometimes fails to grasp critical game situations, as evidenced by his willingness to run when it wasn't necessary or prudent. Being a successful quarterback involves more than just physical abilities; it requires a deep understanding of the game's nuances.
In summary, while Fields has shown promise, he must address these challenges to establish himself as the Bears' quarterback of the future. Winning decisively in these final games could go a long way in convincing his doubters, especially with a capable defense supporting him. However, he needs to demonstrate growth in crunch time, ball security, and overall decision-making to solidify his position as the franchise quarterback.
| POLL | ||
1 DECEMBRE | 62 ANSWERS Is Justin Fields at the 'Hail Mary' Moment? Do you still have faith in Justin Fields moving forward? | ||
| yes | 43 | 69.4 % |
| No | 19 | 30.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
