This season opened with high expectations. Ryan Poles invested heavily in upgrading every key position group via the draft, free agency, and trade. Reports from camp spoke highly of the "new" Justin Fields. He was accurately throwing the ball, moving through his progressions faster than last year. He was deadly accurate on deep throws. Everyone was anticipating a new look offense when September 10th arrived.
By 3:00 PM that afternoon, every good vibe from the past few months of build-up vanished. The offense, despite all the tools surrounding Fields, floundered. They were so bad the home crowd started booing the team before the first half ended.
With starters rarely seeing playing time in the preseason, it was hoped that game two would be different.
It wasn't!
It is difficult to watch this offense so far this season after seeing Fields become electric in the second half of 2022. We expected his passing numbers to soar with the new personnel at the skilled positions surrounding him. Defenses would be vulnerable to the deep ball as they had to spy on Fields and be alert to his running.
In week two, the offense clicked for their first drive, but again, the day ended in disappointment. Fields failed to find receivers that were wide open, taking sacks when they should have had big gains. On one sack, a hesitant Fields missed seeing Roschon Johnson, who would have had an easy touchdown.
As the quarterback's failures continue, Bear Luke Getsy must game-plan to Fields strengths and put him into position to limit his errors.
What Can Be Done
After two games, there have been far too few play calls with a run-pass option. RPOs were very successful for the office last year. So far, the game plan calls for Fields to be locked into the role of a pocket-passer. Here are Five Things That Can Help Fields.
1: More Designed QB Runs
Fields becomes more effective when good things happen early. Getting him involved in the running game early would hopefully get him into the rhythm of the game faster.
2: Put Rolling Pockets Into The Game Plan
Fields has always done well throwing on the move. Rolling him to one side accomplishes that. It also cuts the field in half, making it easier to read his options to find an open receiver.
3: Bring RPO Plays Back
The Bears led the league in rushing last season; a large part of that success was the RPO. When the running game is successful, Fields can use play-action to freeze the linebackers, allowing the slot receiver and his tight ends to roam the middle of the defense.
4: More Play Action on First Down
The Bears running game should open opportunities in the passing game using play-action. There have been far too few plays called utilizing play-action.
5: Take Shots Down The Field
It is hard to remember if there have been any deep throws to the speedy wide receivers so far. The offensive line has been falsely blamed for all the sacks so far. There is no reason why the Bears should be refusing to take a shot downfield. They can use max-protect by keeping the tight end and running back in to block, and Fields needs to throw the ball deep to Moore, Mooney, Claypool, Scott, or Jones.
Luke Getsy needs to use Fields in the best way possible. Trying to make him a pocket passer didn't work last year, and it's not working now.
News and Notes
We will learn more tomorrow, but the Bears are hopeful the injuries to WR Darnell Mooney and S Eddie Jackson are minor.
The Bears visit Kansas City on Sunday. Currently the schedule kickoff time is 3:25 CDT. Fox Network is carrying the game.
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