The Chicago Bears enter Week 3 of the NFL season with their star QB ranking at the bottom of starting quarterbacks.
During their Sunday loss in Green Bay, Justin Fields only had 11 passes on 17 dropbacks.
This lack of a passing game has people wondering when the Bears unleash Fields.
Fans are hoping the team really uses him during Week 3 as they face the winless Houston Texans.
Are The Texans Right For Fields?
If the Bears want to take risks, taking them against a mismatched opponent is the best option.
With the Texans struggling early, they give the Bears the best match-up to employ Fields.
However, the Texans’ pass defense does well against even the best of quarterbacks.
The @HoustonTexans defense held QB Russell Wilson to a 31.6 completion percentage (6-for-19) in the first half, the second-lowest mark of his career.
His 48.8 first half passer rating ranks as the 12-lowest in his career (min. seven pass attempts). #HOUvsDEN pic.twitter.com/ZKQxzrmHEV
— Houston Texans PR (@TexansPR) September 18, 2022
While they stopped Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos air game in the first half, they still lost the game.
With this in mind, Fields can perform well later in the game with the passing attack.
But he can’t make costly throws because trying to force the passes to his receivers won’t end well.
Justin Fields throws an INT in the 1st quarter.pic.twitter.com/o6SJgzbrFy
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 11, 2022
However, the Bears need to take the chance on Fields against the Texans if they want him to build confidence.
While this pass defense is good, the Texans are the best team to use Fields on.
If Fields Is Held Back, He Will Never Get Better
NFL fans all know how the Bears’ star QB can run the ball.
.@justnfields uses his legs to score his first #NFLPreseason touchdown! 🙌
📺: #MIAvsCHI on @NFLNetwork (or check local listings)
📱: https://t.co/VJzItUyljP pic.twitter.com/TXCVxj1xFl— NFL (@NFL) August 14, 2021
However, the team needs a quarterback that can pass, and not just run with the ball.
In an age of dual-threat QBs, the Bears are preventing their young star from becoming that next player on a long list of talented QBs.
While Chicago might think holding back their QB is the best option, it’s actually preventing him from developing into a better passer.
With a lack of passing plays, Chicago is putting their star on a leash.
How can he ever become the next great Bears QB if the team doesn’t call more passing plays?
The answer is he can’t.
If the Bears continue to keep his passing attempts low, it will be another first-round pick wasted on a QB.
Will The Bears Turn Fields Into A Bust?
It’s easy to search the internet and find people calling the Bears QB a bust.
But the deeper story is how play-calling might turn these comments into a reality for Fields.
Right now, the Bears’ leadership is micromanaging Fields.
This is a problem, as doing this doesn’t allow for the confidence to build inside of him.
Chicago shouldn’t hold him back when he throws interceptions, they instead need to address the issues causing those interceptions.
By doing this, they can eliminate a fear that Chicago will stick with a running game over his arm.
Every great NFL QB has thrown interceptions.
However, their teams didn’t hold them back or prevent them from continuing to pass the ball.
Those QBs flourished but Fields can easily turn into a bust if the Bears don’t unleash him soon.
NEXT: The Bears Are Making The Same Mistakes With Justin Fields