Bears Mailbag -- Would Bill Lazor Calling Plays Really Make A Big Difference?

The Chicago Bears' game against the Cleveland Browns at First Energy Stadium was their most anticipated since the 2019 season opener against the Green Bay Packers.  And just like that one, the Bears tanked in a historically woeful offensive performance, losing 26-6.

Justin Fields' starting debut was awful, as a poor offensive line, limited WR separation, lack of adjustment to the Browns defensively, and Fields playing terribly himself, led to an output of 47 net yards of offensive.  Total.  In 42 plays.  A 1.1 yards per play average.  These are not typos. Naturally, fans and media are angry with Matt Nagy, saying the game plan made no sense, it didn't cater to Fields' strengths, etc.  The usual. What's notable, though, is that it seems all of Nagy's goodwill seems to be eroding inside Halas Hall as well...

That's just not good. In fact...

It's gotten to this point.  Sad, but likely true.  Let's see how the Bears rebound, especially offensively, this Sunday at Soldier Field. With that, let's reach into this week's Bears Mailbag.  Follow me on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.

Bears Mailbag

I want to expand on this.  Lazor's first game calling plays was the Bears' unacceptable home loss to the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field.  It was the game the offensive line had no answers for Minnesota's pass rush and Nick Foles got injured towards the end of the game.  After a blissful bye week, the Bears made schematic changes (and a QB switch) before a beatdown at the hands of the Green Bay Packers.  However, that was the first game where signs of improvement started to show (minus some awful Trubisky turnovers). Then, in four straight games, the offense played four terrible defenses en route to putting up 30, 36, 33, 41 points (three wins, one loss).  While the Bears did nothing particularly special, it did appear there was a lot less complexity in the offense and players were playing faster.  That helps! But of course, the offense then ran into two defenses who could easily defend what the Bears were doing (Green Bay and New Orleans) because of Trubisky's limitations of not being able to read defenses within the pocket.  Once they were able to get in his field of vision on the half-field cuts, it was over. The Bears drafted Justin Fields because he is a better pocket passer than Trubisky ever was.  However, he just isn't ready for that *at this time*.  That said, the Bears would do well to install a Trubisky game plan while he gets comfortable and then mix in more pocket concepts. Let me be clear: If Fields doesn't develop as an NFL pocket passer, he will be a wasted pick.  Quarterbacks that can't play from the pocket are bad investments.  Trubisky was in Year 4, which is why they moved on finally.  Fields is in his third game.  He may need more time, but it *has* to get to a point eventually where he can win from the pocket. If he doesn't, it'll be a failure for all involved.