Greg Gabriel spent many years with the Chicago Bears as a scout and then scouting direction. In that time, he experienced several different starting quarterbacks, from Cade McNown to Jim Miller, Rex Grossman, Kyle Orton, and Jay Cutler. He saw some highs and many lows. One of the greatest regrets of his career was that Chicago could never get that position settled. So to see him talk about Justin Fields is cathartic if nothing else. He clearly has great admiration for the Bears’ emerging young quarterback.
People don’t appreciate what Fields is doing this year. He’s had a patchwork offensive line and a receiving corps with no stability to speak of. Yet the Bears’ offense has averaged nearly 30 points per game for the past two months. That is thanks to Fields. Yes, a lot of it comes from his freakish speed as a runner. However, not enough people give him credit for his rapid development as a passer. Gabriel pointed out one key factor that has gone a long way in making it possible.
“Last year, Fields showed a hitch at the top of his release, which slowed his ability to quickly get the ball out of his hand. During the offseason, he worked on his mechanics, and while the hitch is still there, it’s not nearly as pronounced as it was a year ago. The result is more quick throws and completions.
Fields has become more comfortable in the system, and his play has vastly improved. There is not a doubt in my mind that come next season, Fields will put up outstanding numbers and be looked at as one of the better young quarterbacks in the League.”
Justin Fields is steadily eliminating his biggest weaknesses.
That is something every quarterback must do if they want to be great. One of the biggest criticisms of Fields since his rookie year was a bad tendency to hold the ball. He’d wait for deep shot opportunities rather than take easier completions. Too often, he’d refuse to turn it loose because the receiver didn’t have enough separation. He hadn’t yet realized that “open” in the NFL is very different from college. Fields had to get more comfortable throwing into tighter windows. He also needed to learn the value of throwing with timing and rhythm.
The fact he’s managed to do all of that is so encouraging. Forget the overall numbers. They’re misleading. What Justin Fields has looked like since the end of October is likely the quarterback he’ll continue to be moving forward. If so, the Bears are in excellent shape. If they can piece together a better offensive line and receiving corps, then this team will become a force in the NFC before long. It is hard not to get excited about that—such an unfamiliar feeling for fans of this franchise.
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Thank god Chicago radio keeps Greg offtheAir !!
“Throwing a receiver open” is the key skill needed to be a winning QB in the NFL. It involves everyone in the O understanding the defenses, a sense of timing and receivers who can run the assigned route effectively. When JF gets that feel and the receivers start to consistently execute, lookout. Hate him as we must, we have to admit that Rodgers is probably the best active QB at knowing where the play will happen, several seconds before it does happen. That’s what a great NFL QB looks like, and it’s something we haven’t seen in Chicago for a… Read more »
So amazing that Fields is already a top 10 qb (as predicted) and he still has so much room to grow. When Poles makes the right moves and the coaches and players continue their upward trajectory, next season is going to be a blast. Really, this one already is with more to come!
All of his short passes are side-armed so the hitch doesn’t matter too much. Phillip Rivers had one the oddest throwing motions I’ve ever seen and he did just fine.
there isn’t gonna be a new receiving corps. the wr room will be 80-90% the same personnel…just healthy.