Thursday Night Football was another disappointing outing for the Chicago Bears.
Several opportunities were blown by the Bears’ offense to score points to win the game.
However, the heat is coming down on Justin Fields for another less than impressive game.
With another loss, some feel the young QB isn’t the answer in Chicago.
But is this true, or is there an overreaction to the Bears narrow loss on Thursday night?
Bears Aren’t Playing To The Strengths Of Fields
Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy isn’t playing to the strengths of his young QB.
Thursday night was showing fans how Fields isn’t working in the system Getsy brought over to Chicago.
Even former QB and current NFL commentator Ryan Fitzpatrick saw this issue.
Ryan Fitzpatrick on Amazon postgame show:
“Justin Fields needs to look in the mirror and say, ‘What am I?’ You are not Peyton Manning. You’re not Patrick Mahomes. You’re not a pocket passer. You are a Cam Newton-type. You are a guy who is an elite runner of the football” #bears
— Kimberley A. Martin (@ByKimberleyA) October 14, 2022
His post-game message is highly accurate.
Fields isn’t a Mahomes or Manning type of quarterback in the NFL.
However, he can make plays with his legs much like Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts are doing this season.
But those plays are coming off his abandoning the passing game from the pocket.
With Getsy trying to turn Fields into Aaron Rodgers, we are seeing it turn into a disaster.
While Fields could learn the system, he’s better suited for a system that works around him.
However, Getsy taught Fields one trick from Rodgers’ playbook that was gold for the Bears on Thursday.
Fields Was Impressive When He Spotted 12 Men On The Field
Rodgers is a master of catching defenses with too many players on the field.
He uses that as an opportunity to take risks down the field.
On Thursday night, Fields was showing he has learned the same trick.
.@justnfields with a DIME to @dmainy_13 for 6 🙌
📺: #WASvsCHI on @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/HXNH4l6rU0
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 14, 2022
While hurrying up his offense, he caught the Washington Commanders with too many people on the field.
He saw this as a shot to take a risk on a deep pass.
The 40-yard pass landed on target and was completed for a touchdown.
However, that was the only touchdown the Bears saw during the game.
While the intelligence of Fields was bright during that play, he wasn’t making excellent decisions throughout the game.
If The Bears Don’t Play To Fields’ Strengths, He Will Become A Bust
Some see the Bears’ young QB as a bust, even though this is his second season in the NFL.
While he’s making horrible decisions in the pocket, it’s because the pocket isn’t where he belongs.
The young QB is best when outside the pocket, meaning rollouts and play action passes are his friend.
Why isn’t the Chicago OC focusing towards getting Fields rollouts and play actions? Why didn’t he build the offense around those RBs and Kmet in the passing game? I just don’t get it.
— Scott Carasik (@CarasikS) October 14, 2022
With the Bears being a run heavy team this season, play action passes are a great way to help Fields improve and get outside the pocket.
However, it requires either Fields to speak up about this issue or for Getsy to realize his scheme isn’t working in Chicago.
If the Bears don’t address this situation, especially after what Fitzpatrick said, then Fields will continue to disappoint.
He needs a system he can work with and flourish from in games.
Trying to turn him into Aaron Rodgers clearly isn’t the answer for Getsy and the Bears.
NEXT: Justin Fields Is Being Given No Time