Justin Fields Predicted To Have Breakout Year By Former Bears Scout

Most of the national media remain skeptical of Justin Fields. They acknowledge the Chicago Bears quarterback has become one of the most dangerous runners in the entire NFL. It is something that scares defenses to death. However, they also know teams don't win championships with running quarterbacks. If you want to beat guys like Patrick Mahomes or Joe Burrow, you have to find success through the air. Fields hasn't done that through his first two seasons. While the TD-INT ratio improved in 2022, he finished with the lower yards per game total (149) in the league.

Some remain convinced he doesn't have the processing speed, fundamentals, or accuracy needed to consistently string positive pass plays together. Former Bears scout Greg Gabriel isn't buying any of that. He explained on Windy City Gridiron that Fields' struggles the past two years were entirely due to negligence from the organization, not the quarterback's ability. Ryan Pace could not stack the offense with more talent and Matt Nagy's mind-boggling decisions on how to develop Fields. Then Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus came in, knowing they had to clean up the mess, which included a full roster revamp and changing the offensive system.

Last season's struggles were inevitable. This year will be different.

"While this is only Fields' second year in the scheme, it is still his third year in the League, and he also has a new Pro Bowl-level receiver in D.J. Moore. Please, don't tell me Moore isn't as good as (Stefon) Diggs. When the trades were made, both players had spent five years in the League, and their stats were almost identical. Moore will be every bit as important to Chicago's offense as Diggs is to Buffalo's.

Let's be real, the offensive line of the Bears is stronger, the wide receiver group is much better than it was a year ago and the run game should be at least as strong if not stronger. This offense will put up points, and Justin Fields will have his best year as a pro. Not only will he be successful, but the negative narratives will go away."

Justin Fields finally has the environment on his side.

It took three years, but things are finally assembled properly. The coaching staff has installed a system that has carried over into the next year, allowing players to learn and retain it. At the same time, they've begun stacking the depth chart with great athletes. D.J. Moore will be an instant multiplier in the passing game, easing the pressure on Darnell Mooney and Cole Kmet. Nate Davis and Darnell Wright should also help fortify the pass protection that was like a sieve last season.

Anything is possible. Still, NFL history shows that a quarterback always improves as his understanding of an offensive system grows. If Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts could do it, why can't Justin Fields? He has just as much talent as they do. We've already seen glimpses of a player capable of lighting teams up through the air. Sometimes patience and hard work actually do pay off. Jay Cutler played his best football in Chicago during his second year with Mike Martz. Erik Kramer's 1995 season was his second year under Ron Turner.

Fields can do the same.