Justin Fields Breakout In 2023? Analyst Warns It's Coming

People should stop and put together an honest assessment of Justin Fields this past season. It was his second year. The Chicago Bears changed their entire power structure. That meant a new offensive coordinator in Luke Getsy with an entirely new scheme. Not only that, but several key members of the offense were shown the door, including Allen Robinson, James Daniels, and Jason Peters. Despite all of those changes, Fields amassed 3,385 total yards and 25 touchdowns in 15 games.

Is it possible people aren't being entirely fair to him? Yes, it's acknowledged that Fields didn't have the greatest year passing. His yards per game (149.5) were the worst in the league, and his TD-to-INT ratio (17 to 11) was average. Even so, his efficiency improved across the board. There were signs he'd figured out how to operate better from the pocket. It can't be that crazy to think that another year in the same offense, along with more help across the roster, could mean another jump forward. Mike Clay of ESPN doesn't think so, calling Fields his breakout candidate for 2023.

"Clay: Justin Fields, QB, Bears. This one feels like cheating after we saw Fields experience a mini breakout (certainly from a fantasy standpoint) during the 2022 season, but he's a candidate to make a giant leap in his third pro season. He has shown tremendous upside as a rusher (QB-high 1,143 rushing yards and 7.1 yards per carry in 15 games last season), but his supporting cast has not been particularly good and has led to underwhelming passing production and massive sack numbers (league-high 55 in 2022). With Chase Claypool, Darnell Mooney and Cole Kmet in place, and perhaps a few offseason additions coming, Fields will be better positioned to put it all together in 2023."

Justin Fields finally has continuity. That matters.

History shows quarterbacks tend to make substantial improvements from their first year in an offense to their second. Ryan Tannehill proved that in Tennessee with Arthur Smith. Derek Carr had one of his best seasons in the second year under Jon Gruden. Jalen Hurts challenged for the MVP award in his second year with Shane Steichen. Fields admitted that part of the issue he faced in 2022 was a lack of familiarity with the footwork required in Getsy's offense, along with the complicated route system for the wide receivers. That is no longer a problem. He has a firm grasp of both.

The biggest hurdle is the surrounding talent. GM Ryan Poles has to upgrade the offensive line and the wide receiver corps. Both were liabilities last season. It will be difficult. Most experts agree this year is thin on proven receiving talent, both in free agency and the draft. The offensive line has more viable options, so it wouldn't be surprising if that is where the Bears focus. Five of Justin Fields' seven best games came when he was sacked three times or fewer. The two times he crossed 200 yards came when he got sacked two times total. He is far more effective when protected.

If Poles does his job right, this prediction is more than possible.