Olin Kreutz firmly states that if he were in Justin Fields' shoes, he would seek an exit from Chicago.
The Bears and Justin Fields have only displayed sporadic synergy and connection on the field.
What this means is that, in some instances or games, Luke Getsy calls plays that cater to Justin Fields' strengths. It's evident that Fields excels in open spaces, whether it involves moving the pocket, rolling him out, or involving him in the running game.
However, at times, Getsy and the Bears attempt to force Fields into a pure pocket passer role. Whenever they consistently confine him to the pocket, the Bears' offense tends to struggle. For one Bears player, this has become frustrating for Fields.
"The Bears are adamant about wanting a quarterback who can excel from the pocket," Olin Kreutz stated during an interview with Parkins & Spiegel on 670 the Score. "The only evidence I see for that is when I watch the film... They are not inclined towards college-style concepts. They aren't keen on running a lot of quarterback-driven plays or zone reads.
"So, if they persist with this approach, and I'm Justin Fields, I'd consider seeking an exit from Chicago."
Kreutz's perspective sheds new light on the Bears' quarterback situation. Until now, it seemed like Fields was the one who hadn't met the Bears' expectations, rather than the other way around.
While it's true that the play-calling for Fields has been questionable on occasion, Fields isn't free of faults either.
Fields has yet to prove himself as a proficient pocket passer. Since Tyson Bagent took over at quarterback, he has shown Fields how simplified the offense can be when operated from the pocket. Bagent exhibits a quicker dropback than Fields and displays far more patience in a collapsing pocket.
Does this mean that Bagent should replace a healthy Fields? Certainly not. However, Bagent's performance against the Raiders revealed how a traditional pocket quarterback might fare in the Bears' system.
The Bears coaching staff seems to be forcing Fields into a mold that doesn't fit. Is it time for them to abandon this approach? As Parkins mentioned, intentionally placing your quarterback in an unfavorable situation contradicts coaching principles. Perhaps it's time for Ryan Poles, the Bears' general manager, to intervene.
The direction the organization takes is entirely up to Poles. Should he stand by his coaches and search for a quarterback who fits their system? Or should he hold the coaching staff accountable for failing to develop Fields and seek a new coaching team?
Considering the current state of the Bears' offense, there's no room for complacency. The remainder of this season will reveal whether a harmonious relationship can be established between the quarterback and the coaching staff after two years. If not, changes may be imminent.
From Fields' perspective, if he feels uncomfortable in the current system, why should he wait around? It's certainly something to ponder.
"I want to go somewhere that utilizes me in a way I believe can help a team win, the way I believe I can be elite," Kreutz added. "So, I think they should stick with Bagent because that's the type of quarterback they desire. Put him in the pocket to make throws and efficiently run the offense."
