Justin Fields Has One Forgotten Hurdle He Must Overcome This Year

When discussing Justin Fields' issues from last season, most weren't surprising. His footwork in the pocket could be erratic at times, leading to some inaccurate throws that should've been bigger plays. There is also the fact he held the ball too often at times. He was unwilling to throw into tight coverage, leading to either a scramble or a sack. Such things can happen to a young QB in the first year of a new offense. However, one other problem popped up often enough to raise some concerns.

Fields often had a difficult time throwing over the middle. For the 2022 season, he went 51-of-71 for 682 yards, three touchdowns, and six interceptions. More than half of the interceptions he threw came on passing in that area of the field. This is where the slight inaccuracies on several passes often hurt him. The middle of the field always has the most defenders concentrated in it. If a pass is overthrown or underthrown, the odds are far higher it will get picked off. It also tests a quarterback's ability to see where defenders are. If you lose a linebacker or safety in the chaos, they often undercut a route when you least expect it.

Justin Fields must get over this issue to become great.

All the top quarterbacks in the NFL are at least above-average throwing over the middle. Patrick Mahomes has a passer rating of well over 100 in that area. Jalen Hurts, who everybody compares Fields to, had eight touchdowns and two interceptions last season when throwing there. This isn't an isolated problem. Fields was equally bad at it during his rookie season. The speed and complexity of NFL coverages obviously confuse him at times. This is what many of his critics were afraid of.

The good news is it sounds like he might be figuring it out. There were multiple instances during OTAs and minicamps where he demonstrated an ability to decipher coverages and hit receivers over the middle. One involved dropping a dime over middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. Another saw him manipulate Eddie Jackson with his eyes before firing a touchdown to Cole Kmet. These are steps in the right direction. With more help around him and greater knowledge of the system, his breakthrough may finally be at hand.