How An Old Friend Offers Justin Fields Hope Of Looming Success

Justin Fields enters the unknown this coming season. People saw glimpses of stardom last season, but they were brief. The Chicago Bears quarterback had some outstanding games. He showcased his incredible mobility and reminded everybody that he could be dangerous as a passer when given protection. However, his low passing numbers (only two games over 200 yards) lead many to wonder if he can't process defenses at NFL speeds. Most quarterbacks don't struggle this much to generate yardage.

Then again, somebody knows what he's going through. Jay Cutler was in that same position once. People forget the former Bears quarterback started his career in the same offensive system Fields runs now. He came in under Mike Shanahan in 2006. His production through the first 17 games wasn't exactly stellar.

• 3,599 yards, 22 touchdowns, 17 interceptions

However, things started clicking around the start of December 2007. Over the next 20 games in Denver, his numbers took a significant spike in every category.

• 5,425 yards, 32 touchdowns, 20 interceptions

There is nothing Cutler could do on the football field that Fields can't: similar size, similar athleticism, similar arm strength, and similar deep accuracy.

Cutler knows what Justin Fields needs is patience.

The former quarterback said the same thing for years during his time in Chicago. To master an offensive system, one must be in it for three seasons. His best season in that Denver wide-zone came in 2008, his third year with the team. Fields is entering his second under Luke Getsy. While true mastery might still be in the distant future, Cutler's progress was impossible to ignore during his second year. A big part of that was the team's ability to continue building around him. They brought Brandon Marshall in during the same draft as him in 2006. A year later, they added veteran receiver Brandon Stokley. Then in 2008, they drafted left tackle Ryan Clady and wide receiver Eddie Royal.

The Bears are following a similar blueprint. Teven Jenkins came in with Justin Fields in 2021. He looks like a big-time keeper at guard. Now this off-season, they added 1st round right tackle Darnell Wright and veteran wide receiver D.J. Moore. The pieces are coming into place. All while Fields continues building experience and continuity in the same offense. Cutler only wishes the team demonstrated this kind of plan when he was around. The Bears seem to have learned from their mistakes, which could benefit their young quarterback significantly.