Bears Film Study: Verdict on Fields becoming obvious
Justin Fields is making it real easy for the Bears to decide their quarterback future.
On a snowy day against the Falcons, Fields started the game with a couple of 32-yard gains and a pinpoint touchdown pass, all to D.J. Moore, giving the Bears an early lead. He added a couple of would-be TD throws that Tyler Scott couldn't snag, along with some impressive runs.
The question heading into the Bears' offseason shouldn't be whether Fields is a future Hall-of-Famer or if USC's Caleb Williams might turn out to be better. The question is which path gets the Bears closer to the Super Bowl. Their ability to auction off the No. 1 draft pick could turn into a bonanza approaching the Cowboys' famous Herschel Walker trade in 1989.
The Bears have a chance to win eight games in Fields' third season and could be playing for a playoff spot in Green Bay if Matt Eberflus had kicked the go-ahead field goal against Denver instead of going for it on fourth down.
In the initial season of Fields and Moore together, the sixth-year receiver has a chance to become just the sixth Bears player with 100 catches. He already has the fifth-most receiving yards in a single season in Bears history, and with a really good day in Green Bay, could move into the top three.
Now imagine what Fields could do if the Bears add another dynamic receiver. Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. would be nice, but you don't take him with the No. 1 overall pick. In an ideal world, Washington's Rome Odunze is available with the Bears' own selection. Count on Fields' ability to read the field improving tremendously with another stud receiver.
This is also a year when the Bears could potentially draft an edge rusher to complement Montez Sweat, while adding depth to both the offensive line and defensive backfield.
Yes, it would be less expensive to draft a rookie QB rather than re-sign Fields. But if the Bears draft well, they can have helpful players all over the field on rookie contracts. Ultimately, drafting and development is the key for any NFL team.
Choose wisely
The thing to remember about choosing a quarterback is there's no guarantee Caleb Williams or Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels or anyone else will be better than Fields in the NFL.
People try to compare measurables or college performance, but every draftable college quarterback plays on a team with a talent advantage over most opponents, setting up loads of easy throws.
What makes a great NFL quarterback is the ability to process everything thrown at him. He's got to call the play, read the defense, think about blocking schemes, fake blitzes, disguised coverages – all in a span of about 10 seconds -- then make a split-second decision and put the ball on the money.
Not many players can master those tasks, which is why quarterback success is so unpredictable. It's also beyond obvious that a solid supporting cast is vital. If Patrick Mahomes started with the Jets, while Sam Darnold had Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill to throw to, which player would have been more successful?
The Bears know about Fields' physical skills and mental makeup. Fields with an improved supporting casts should be a safer option than another quarterback with the same receivers and pass protection.
Defensive defeats
One concern for the defense lately has been giving up big pass plays. Tyler Allgeier's 75-yard touchdown on a screen pass was a matter of too many Bears in the wrong spot.
Kyler Gordon blitzed, taking him out of the play. None of the four defensive linemen recognized screen in time to help, Jaquon Brisker and T.J. Edwards were on the other side of the field. Tremaine Edwards had Allgeier in coverage, but was wiped out by a blocker.
Jaylon Johnson should have made the tackle 20 yards downfield, but slipped. Eddie Jackson couldn't escape a block. Terell Smith, the corner that started on the opposite side of the field, made an nice attempt, running past Jackson to chase down the play, which is interesting. But he didn't get there in time to prevent a TD.
Quick hitters
Credit center Lucas Patrick for stopping that potential 109-yard missed field goal return at the end of the first half. Patrick was essentially the last line of defense and stood his ground well enough to make Atlanta's DeAundre Alford change course instead of running straight to the end zone. Ultimately it was tough to tell if Alford slipped or either Patrick or Robert Tonyan tripped him up at the 12-yard line. …
Still think the best chance for a solid offensive line is to use Braxton Jones and Teven Jenkins at guard, with a more reliable pass-blocker at left tackle. Guard Nate Davis had a rough day against the Falcons, while Jones had the block of the week, setting the edge on Khalil Herbert's 35-yard run early in the third quarter.
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