Nobody would’ve thought that one of the most interesting weekly press conferences this season is offensive coordinator Bill Lazor. The man has never been known to stir up controversy or be bombastic in his approach to the media. By all accounts, he comes across as a level-headed guy just trying to do his job. Yet that hasn’t stopped him from giving some pretty blunt answers to some tough questions in recent weeks.
From his calling out of Matt Nagy on the state of the offensive scheme to defending Justin Fields against some erroneous criticisms, Lazor isn’t afraid to tell it like it is. That trend continued on Friday. He was asked about the overall state of the passing game for the Bears. How Allen Robinson is on track to have the worst season of his pro career. The offensive coordinator stated that none of the pass catchers are happy right now, and they have every reason to feel that way.
Even stating that until this problem is fixed, the Bears will struggle to win games.
Chicago ranks 7th in rushing attempts this season and 6th in rushing yards. It is the one thing they do well on offense. So it’s only natural they’d do it as much as possible. The Bears want to throw the ball more. Especially with Matt Nagy as head coach. He’s a former quarterback. Running the ball this much has to be absolutely killing him. Yet the reality is this offense isn’t built well enough to do anything else.
The scheme isn’t anything special. The offensive line can’t protect with any consistency and the receivers too often aren’t getting open. Fields shares some of that blame too, sometimes not processing the field fast enough. These are struggles expected of a rookie. Issues he’ll have to clean up as he gains experience.
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Bill Lazor and Bears might be shifting to the Ravens playbook
This by embracing the idea of making the run game their entire focal point. Not just with their running backs either. Also with Fields himself. One of the things that makes Baltimore so dangerous is the outstanding mobility of quarterback Lamar Jackson. He isn’t afraid to use his legs multiple times every week. Combined with a steady ground attack, it’s a nightmare for defenses to stop.
Last week showed the Bears might be leaning into that approach more than ever. Not only did they commit to running the ball like usual, but Fields took off and ran 10 times in the game. His highest total of the season. Some of those runs were by design too. He finished with 103 yards and a touchdown. The Bears topped 21 points for only the second time this season. It isn’t what Bill Lazor and the coaching staff planned back in the summer, but it seems to work.
Right now? They have to do what works.
Fields is improving as a passer. Little by little he’s making more throws professional QBs are expected to make. This was always going to take time. Until then, the coaches are duty-bound to support him in any way possible. Even if that means enduring the frustration of receivers like Robinson.