Why not lead the NFL in rushing again in 2023? That would make it much easier for Fields to pass, even if we don't have a WR1.
Of course a running game is extremely important. Although KC's run game was in the lower half of the league this year and they did fine, winning the Super Bowl. Again. Last year Matt Stafford was a top-3 passer (and as mobile as a statue). Tom Brady won the Super Bowl before that (obviously that guy can pass.... and isn't a mobile QB). Before that we had Patrick Mahomes winning the Super Bowl. My point is that we need to have a QB & WRs who can provide a real modern NFL offense. Just having a wildcat QB won't get you very far. But 100% agree that a solid running game helps the passing game. You need as complete of a team as possible. Offense, Defense - both. Running game as well as a passing game.
Fields needs to become a passing QB as well as being a running guy. And I know I'm "preaching to the choir" and you feel the same way. Gotta get an OL and WRs so this happens. Fields can't catch his own passes or provide the pass blocking so he can pass...
Even with better OL and WR, I do not believe Fields will ever pass as well as Brady or Mahomes. We should build around the strength of this team and this QB, which is running the ball. Eagles and Hurts should be more our model for success than a great passer — Brady, Mahomes, Manning, Montana, etc, I think Getsy will aim for a 60/40 run/pass balance.
Of course a running game is extremely important. Although KC's run game was in the lower half of the league this year and they did fine, winning the Super Bowl. Again. Last year Matt Stafford was a top-3 passer (and as mobile as a statue). Tom Brady won the Super Bowl before that (obviously that guy can pass.... and isn't a mobile QB). Before that we had Patrick Mahomes winning the Super Bowl. My point is that we need to have a QB & WRs who can provide a real modern NFL offense. Just having a wildcat QB won't get you very far. But 100% agree that a solid running game helps the passing game. You need as complete of a team as possible. Offense, Defense - both. Running game as well as a passing game.
Fields needs to become a passing QB as well as being a running guy. And I know I'm "preaching to the choir" and you feel the same way. Gotta get an OL and WRs so this happens. Fields can't catch his own passes or provide the pass blocking so he can pass...
Even with better OL and WR, I do not believe Fields will ever pass as well as Brady or Mahomes. We should build around the strength of this team and this QB, which is running the ball. Eagles and Hurts should be more our model for success than a great passer — Brady, Mahomes, Manning, Montana, etc, I think Getsy will aim for a 60/40 run/pass balance.
We will never know what Fields can, or cannot do, until we get him the OL and receivers to SEE what he can do. I watched him at OU and he showcased amazing passing talent that is just screaming to be developed at the NFL level. Then he came to the Bears...
That lowered the ceiling immediately as he got the Nagy treatment, no blocking - and poor receivers. The frustration for me is that we have no clue what we have in Justin Fields until we put a decent OL in front of him and legit, talented WRs out there who can run routes, get separation, and catch a football well.
Even with better OL and WR, I do not believe Fields will ever pass as well as Brady or Mahomes. We should build around the strength of this team and this QB, which is running the ball. Eagles and Hurts should be more our model for success than a great passer — Brady, Mahomes, Manning, Montana, etc, I think Getsy will aim for a 60/40 run/pass balance.
We will never know what Fields can, or cannot do, until get him the OL and receivers to SEE what he can do. I watched him at OU and he showcased amazing passing talent that is just screaming to be developed at the NFL level. Then he came to the Bears...
That lowered the ceiling immediately as he got the Nagy treatment, no blocking - and poor receivers. The frustration for me is that we have no clue what we have in Justin Fields until we put a decent OL in front of him and legit, talented WRs out there who can run routes, get separation, and catch a football well.
I partly agree and partly disagree. I agree that we don’t know his ceiling as a passer until we get the OL/WR upgrades. I disagree that, after watching him for two years, we know little about his long-term limitations as a passer. We get some insight into that on downs where he DOES have good pass protection AND open receivers. I am not going much deeper into my opinions on that subject, or I will get drawn into another interminable “prove it” debate with butkus. LOL
"There’s also concern that if Fields needs to remain a run-heavy playmaker for the offense to succeed, the Bears may get stuck playing a perpetual game of chicken. On the freeway. With their most valuable franchise asset. “Are you going to be able to keep him healthy?” one exec said. “And how? On the surface alone, we’re still talking about a quarterback who has been stuck on the sideline more often than he’s won.” Indeed, Fields heads into his third season having missed seven starts because of injury or illness while accumulating only five victories."
The Bears need to do everything in their power to help Fields become a passing QB. Yes, he is a freak running athlete. But if his game ends with him being a one-trick pony, then I do worry about him not being the guy we need in Chicago. Teams will defend that one-trick pony guy and his body will pay a heavy price. That would be a shame because I do believe Fields can grow into being a "real" QB with a passing game to go with that run game. But Poles needs to pull out all stops to protect him with solid OL pass protection & obviously you need better receivers - guys who can run routes, catch a football - and get open more consistently.
He IS a passing QB. I don't know why people don't remember anything this kid did in college. He needs people to PASS TO however.
"There’s also concern that if Fields needs to remain a run-heavy playmaker for the offense to succeed, the Bears may get stuck playing a perpetual game of chicken. On the freeway. With their most valuable franchise asset. “Are you going to be able to keep him healthy?” one exec said. “And how? On the surface alone, we’re still talking about a quarterback who has been stuck on the sideline more often than he’s won.” Indeed, Fields heads into his third season having missed seven starts because of injury or illness while accumulating only five victories."
The Bears need to do everything in their power to help Fields become a passing QB. Yes, he is a freak running athlete. But if his game ends with him being a one-trick pony, then I do worry about him not being the guy we need in Chicago. Teams will defend that one-trick pony guy and his body will pay a heavy price. That would be a shame because I do believe Fields can grow into being a "real" QB with a passing game to go with that run game. But Poles needs to pull out all stops to protect him with solid OL pass protection & obviously you need better receivers - guys who can run routes, catch a football - and get open more consistently.
He IS a passing QB. I don't know why people don't remember anything this kid did in college. He needs people to PASS TO however.
He was incredible passing in college at OSU. You hit the nail on the head. He needs talent around him to do that on the Bears.
He IS a passing QB. I don't know why people don't remember anything this kid did in college. He needs people to PASS TO however.
He was incredible passing in college at OSU. You hit the nail on the head. He needs talent around him to do that on the Bears.
I truly believe he did what he did last season because he HAD to. Looking at how he played in college, this is not his preference and he operated effectively from inside the pocket at OSU. Give this man better receiving options than Pringle, and Eq. St. Brown, half a season of Claypool and all the other slop they threw out there not named Kmet and Mooney.
He was incredible passing in college at OSU. You hit the nail on the head. He needs talent around him to do that on the Bears.
I truly believe he did what he did last season because he HAD to. Looking at how he played in college, this is not his preference and he operated effectively from inside the pocket at OSU. Give this man better receiving options than Pringle, and Eq. St. Brown, half a season of Claypool and all the other slop they threw out there not named Kmet and Mooney.
And Poles/Eberflus know this and will make a major upgrade this year. It's gonna happen. I'm just chomping at the bit wanting to know how they go about it.
Of course a running game is extremely important. Although KC's run game was in the lower half of the league this year and they did fine, winning the Super Bowl. Again. Last year Matt Stafford was a top-3 passer (and as mobile as a statue). Tom Brady won the Super Bowl before that (obviously that guy can pass.... and isn't a mobile QB). Before that we had Patrick Mahomes winning the Super Bowl. My point is that we need to have a QB & WRs who can provide a real modern NFL offense. Just having a wildcat QB won't get you very far. But 100% agree that a solid running game helps the passing game. You need as complete of a team as possible. Offense, Defense - both. Running game as well as a passing game.
Fields needs to become a passing QB as well as being a running guy. And I know I'm "preaching to the choir" and you feel the same way. Gotta get an OL and WRs so this happens. Fields can't catch his own passes or provide the pass blocking so he can pass...
Even with better OL and WR, I do not believe Fields will ever pass as well as Brady or Mahomes. We should build around the strength of this team and this QB, which is running the ball. Eagles and Hurts should be more our model for success than a great passer — Brady, Mahomes, Manning, Montana, etc, I think Getsy will aim for a 60/40 run/pass balance.
Eagles and Balt haven't done anything to want to model after other then have 1 good year and lose the sb. That's like modeling the team after Lovie Smiths team, which is unfortunately what I think the Bears are trying to do.
Even with better OL and WR, I do not believe Fields will ever pass as well as Brady or Mahomes. We should build around the strength of this team and this QB, which is running the ball. Eagles and Hurts should be more our model for success than a great passer — Brady, Mahomes, Manning, Montana, etc, I think Getsy will aim for a 60/40 run/pass balance.
Eagles and Balt haven't done anything to want to model after other then have 1 good year and lose the sb. That's like modeling the team after Lovie Smiths team, which is unfortunately what I think the Bears are trying to do.
Hurts came into his own once he got AJ Brown. They were best team in NFL last year.