The Chicago Bears have the worst passing game of the 2022 season, and it’s not particularly close. At his current pace, quarterback Justin Fields will finish the year with 2001 passing yards. That is with a 17th game on the schedule. Fans thought they knew offensive ineptitude already, but the Bears always seem to find a new rock bottom. Sunday in New York was considered a high point with 174 yards. That is how low the standards have gotten. Darnell Mooney and everybody else on the roster can feel the frustration.
The wide receiver finally had his first big game with 94 yards on four catches. However, he freely admitted he left many more on the field with his own mistakes. He ran incorrect routes multiple times, costing his team points and getting his quarterback hit. Fields was sacked six times at MetLife Stadium. Too often, the poor guy was running for his life. Mooney admitted at his latest press conference the QB isn’t happy. Quite the opposite.
“He wants to throw the ball; he wants to throw the ball, for sure. He doesn’t want to run around. He’s a great athlete. He wants to get his playmakers involved. Sometimes, you have to do it. Sometimes you don’t. It just happened how the game (went).”
Yes, Fields is a good athlete. A great one. However, he isn’t Lamar Jackson or Jalen Hurts. He doesn’t feel natural as a running quarterback. Fields prefers to sit back and deliver passes. That isn’t possible when his line can’t protect him, and his receivers either don’t get open or run the wrong routes.
Darnell Mooney and others have to step up.
Fields is making his own mistakes. He holds the ball too long, appears late on reads, and tends to abandon the pocket to run when he doesn’t have to. Those are all valid criticisms he must address. That said, those problems are exacerbated by other players not doing their jobs. Sam Mustipher, Lucas Patrick, and Larry Borom look like glaring weak spots on the offensive line. Cole Kmet is not a threat in the passing game. Every other receiver not named Mooney has underwhelmed.
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People can talk about scheme issues all day. The reality is the Bears have limited talent on the offensive side of the ball. GM Ryan Poles was never going to fix that in one off-season. He hoped they could piece together something functional for this year and get the real work done in 2023. It appears he was a little too optimistic in that regard. Things look like they’re going to get worse before they get better. Darnell Mooney knows he and others need to start doing their jobs if Fields is going to survive this season, never mind becoming a franchise quarterback.
I’m OK with this season being Shxxx-show to develop Fields but have they under estimated the key coaching hires?
If receivers are running the “wrong routes,” how can “reading the defense” possibly help? How can a QB be “on time” with his throws, when his receivers are on a different path?
Who’s coaching these WRs? Is Mike Furrey back at Halas Hall?
And, what’s your problem with Larry Borom, Lambert? Your silly narrative reveals your complete ignorance.
I really believe the clock is ticking Fields. I'm really pulling for him but this offense looks awful.
We all need to chill! Look back at the games he started in 21 and look at his improvement as the season went on. Under very similar circumstances, I might add. 1st 1/4 of starts were equally bad! Last 1/4 of starts we saw the player we are all forgetting he was!
Your so called no 1 receiver admits he is running the wrong routes. No more talk of being a no 1 receiver. Kmet is a backup TE at best. Pace was a terrible GM with a terrible accountant and a terrible owner. No wonder this team is a mess