Should the Bears Bench Justin Fields?
The Chicago Bears are off to a rough 0-3 start and quarterback Justin Fields looks like he is regressing in his third year in the NFL.
After an abysmal performance against the Kansas City Chiefs where the team lost 41-10, would it be insane to bench Fields after just three games? Well, former Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz thinks that may be the best decision.
“This whole situation with him demoralized his team. If they don’t make a change, I think it’s just going to get worse – if that’s possible for this to get worse,” Martz said in an interview with The 33rd Team. “It’s a demoralized football team that’s heading down.”
"If they don't make a change, I think it's just going to get worse — if that's possible."
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) September 25, 2023
Former #NFL HC Mike Martz is rooting for the best for Justin Fields, but he doesn't see any real success coming with Chicago this season #DaBears
Martz isn’t wrong–watching this Chicago Bears team is depressing. Fields seems to struggle with progressions and the offensive scheme looks uncreative and stagnant. In week two against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Bears called three screen plays in a row, resulting in a pick-six.
It may not be all Fields’ fault; his offensive line looks outmatched every week and the play-calling has been awful. However, the team has weapons and Fields hasn’t used them at all.
Darnell Mooney has just four catches for 53 yards through three weeks; D.J. Moore, who the Bears excitedly traded for this offseason, has just 11 catches for 170 yards and a touchdown.
Fields completed 11 passes on Sunday for 99 yards, and rushed for 47 yards on 11 attempts. On the season, he has completed 58 percent of his passes for 526 yards, with three touchdowns and four interceptions.
A usually dynamic quarterback, Fields hasn’t been using his legs as much as this season. He nearly broke the QB rushing record last season at 1,143 yards and added eight touchdowns. This year, Fields has only rushed for 109 yards and a touchdown. Compared to last year through three weeks, Fields rushed for 238 yards.
Jay Glazer of FOX reported on Sunday that the Bears could explore other options in the offseason if Fields doesn’t begin to make more progress.
“They were hoping that he would start pulling (the ball) down a lot faster and starting running and using more of a dual-threat as well,” he said. “Remember, they have two first-round picks for next year’s draft, so they have the ammo if he isn’t the answer.”
Martz says that Fields is putting a lot of pressure on himself to prove he belongs under center. However, he expressed skepticism that he could do so.
“He’s trying to prove that he can play quarterback in this league, but that’s probably not the case,” Martz said.
As Glazer stated, the Bears can still get high-level quarterback talent in the draft if Fields doesn’t blossom into a franchise starter. If the season continues like this, the Bears would own the No. 1 pick for the second consecutive year, in addition to the No. 4 pick, courtesy of the Carolina Panthers.
USC quarterback and 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams is the most likely No. 1 pick; he could be the answer for a franchise and a fanbase that is begging for success.
Not to mention, Fields will be entering the final year of his rookie contract. The team will have to decide if they’re going to pick up his fifth-year option. The quarterback market is at an all-time high, and there’s no point in paying a player who is making no progress as a passer.
Fields has totaled 27 touchdowns and 25 interceptions in 30 career games, completing 59.5 percent of his passes and owning a 5-23 record as a starter. However, he’s so dynamic as a runner, so should the Bears hang on to the hope that he will eventually develop in the passing department?
There’s also the possibility of them trading Fields at the deadline. What do you think the Bears should do? Let us know in the comments!
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