Are The Bears, Fields Ready To Take The Next Step?
The Chicago Bears are always looking to instill confidence in their young star quarterback, Justin Fields. However, it’s a different story when you announce a quarterback’s development publicly. Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy spoke to the media about Fields’ development, calling him “light-years ahead” of where he was at this time last year.
“Where he was at this time last year to where he is now, I think he’s just light-years ahead of where he was,” Getsy said to the Chicago Tribune on Saturday. “And I feel like he has a ton more to grow going forward. So we’re excited to try to get the best out of him moving forward and keep working toward where we think he can go.”
This is on the list of things you love to hear if you’re a Bears fan. While one could argue that the Bears would tout Fields’ offseason development regardless, it’s important to realize that Getsy wouldn’t just go around saying this.
NFL coaches typically only say things publicly about quarterbacks when they feel confident it’s true. Just look at Zach Wilson. When Wilson was making his progress (or lack thereof), the Jets never said anything. They never publicly praised him. The point is, I don’t think Getsy and the Bears would gain anything from lying to the press about Fields’ development.
Fields, 23, made history last season for a bad-news Bears team. Amidst a 3-14 record, Fields broke the franchise-record for rushing yards by a quarterback in a season. During one stretch last year, Fields rushed for at least 70 yards in five straight games, the longest streak by an NFL quarterback since 1950. All in all, Fields made the Pro Bowl and finished ninth in MVP voting.
When rumors were circulating that the Bears could look at trading Fields and drafting Bryce Young with the first overall pick, I was appalled. You don’t trade a quarterback that has had such high development in his second season just to start over with developing a new one. Justin Fields non-believers can eat it.
Regardless of his potent running game, Fields does have plenty of room for improvement as a quarterback. He fumbled 16 times and threw 11 interceptions last season. Maybe this is more of a testament to his offensive line and scheming, but Fields was sacked 55 times, tied for the highest in the NFL. Only winning three games in 15 starts also stings.
Upgrades
Heading into 2023, the Bears have upgraded Fields’ supporting cast. The stench of the Ryan Pace-Matt Nagy era is finally starting to fade under this new regime. Say what you want about general manager Ryan Poles, but the front office went out and spent so far this offseason to improve almost every factor around Fields.
The Bears have brought in weapons like D.J. Moore and Robert Tonyan and also extended Equanimeous St. Brown. Don’t forget about using a first-round draft pick on an offensive tackle in Darnell Wright. This is all without mentioning the defensive improvements, like All-Pro Tremaine Edmunds and linebacker T.J. Edwards.
Are the Bears ready to take the next step? If that next step means winning more than three games, then yes. As an organization, things look better than they did last year at this time. As for Fields, only his coaches really know how much he’s developed so far, and even they aren’t all-knowing.
For Fields, a reduction in turnovers would mean a lot for him. If he can hold onto the football at this level (which isn’t easy by the way), he’s ready to blossom into the star he can be. Imagine a quarterback who passes for 3,000 yards or more, rushes for 1,000 yards and doesn’t turn the ball over. He’ll have a chance to win MVP every season.
Up to this point, this is all talk from Getsy, the Bears, and frankly, myself. September and beyond will be the time that Fields could prove his worth to all the haters out there.
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