After becoming the 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears took their time putting Justin Fields in a position where he could succeed. After attempting just six rushes per game as a rookie, Fields nearly doubled his carries up to 10.7 attempts per game in his sophomore season.
With that, we saw Fields have the type of breakout season that led many to believe we were witnessing a superstar come to life before our eyes. Fields went on an incredible six-game run that saw him tally 640 rushing yards and six touchdowns. He’d even finish the season with a ridiculous 1,143 rushing yards, the second-most in NFL history by a QB.
Yet, as great as Fields looked as a runner, he still had plenty of struggles as a dropback passer, where he ranked 31 of 33 qualifying QBs in completion percentage. Considering passing the ball is still his top priority as an NFL quarterback, finding a way for Fields to be more effective from the pocket is a must.
- Justin Fields’ stats last season: 2,242 passing yards, 17 TD, 11 INT, 60.4% comp. rate
Heading into his third season, Fields will now have a stronger cast of receivers around him, including three-time 1,000-yard receiver D.J. Moore, in addition to hopefully a stronger offensive line that buys him more time to make decisions.
The Bears see Fields as a special talent. A player who’s viewed as an “elevator” or someone who can put the team on his back in pursuit of victory. Yet, some NFL team officials are still questioning whether Fields has the chops to operate efficiently from the pocket.
Here’s what ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has heard around the league regarding Fields.
“There is some skepticism that exists among some team officials around the league about his ability to get it done as a pocket passer. Can he be that precision guy that you need from the pocket?”
NFL insider Jeremy Fowler on Justin Fields
This report comes at a fascinating time, as the Bears recently indicated Fields was miles ahead of where he was last year at this point in the offseason, indicating the young QB may be in for yet another breakout season. This time, as a passer, instead of a scrambling weapon.
