Unlocking Justin Fields' Potential: Steps for the Bears' QB to Elevate His Passing Game
Sure, everyone's eagerly watching to see if Justin Fields evolves into the QB cornerstone the Bears so desperately need this upcoming season. But what exactly will this metamorphosis entail?
Despite a middling completion rate of 60.4% and a measly 149.5 yards per game in 2022, Fields gave the Bears a glimmer of hope with his ground game, rushing for a staggering 1,143 yards. It was this dynamic duo of Fields and the David Montgomery/Khalil Herbert tandem that salvaged what was otherwise an underwhelming offensive display. But the Bears' reliance on the ground game isn't sustainable � their top QB rivals, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, and Josh Allen are, after all, not just excellent runners but dominant passers as well.
Therein lies Fields' challenge: to transition from an able runner to a formidable passer. To aid him in this endeavor, the Bears have made some shrewd personnel choices. Here are four things they'll need from Fields this season:
1. **More DJ Moore Magic:** GM Ryan Poles scored a coup in acquiring DJ Moore. With an impressive five-season average of over 1,000 yards, despite a carousel of subpar QBs in Carolina, Moore is set to take the lead in the Bears' receiving department. And with Fields at the helm, Moore could soar to new heights. Expect at least 10 passes aimed his way each game.
2. **Mechanical Mastery:** Fields needs to step up his game. Last season saw a shift in footwork training under the new coaching regime, leading to a refining of Fields' mechanics to match the timing of his drop with the Bears' passing scheme. Greater comfort with this approach should result in swifter decision-making, reducing the number of avoidable sacks.
3. **Trust in Tight Ends:** As the team's leading receiver, Cole Kmet is crucial to Fields' success. The duo has built a strong relationship off-field, which should translate into a reliable safety net for Fields in tricky situations. For the Bears to really click, Kmet needs to ramp up his catch count.
4. **Wise Use of Speed:** Yes, Fields is a magnificent runner, but the Bears must manage this weapon wisely to minimize injury risks. Fields needs to adopt a more judicious approach, saving his runs for critical junctures. Coach Eberflus' advice is, "run it when we need it". This means staying in the pocket, unless it's a crucial third down or a play in the red zone.
A successful season hinges on Fields' ability to balance his unparalleled running ability with developing his skills as a passer. This is an exciting challenge both for Fields and for his coach, who must guide his transition without stifling his natural instincts. After all, Fields' instinctive runs have resulted in some impressive stats. He managed an average of 9.3 yards on third or fourth down last season, converting 40 of those for first downs or touchdowns. A clear testament to his potential, Fields needs to wield this weapon strategically to become the QB the Bears need.
| POLL | ||
1 JUILLET | 42 ANSWERS Unlocking Justin Fields' Potential: Steps for the Bears' QB to Elevate His Passing Game Is Justin Fields a great passer? | ||
| Yes | 27 | 64.3 % |
| No | 15 | 35.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
