Chicago Bears fans are caught fighting amongst themselves lately. As always it centers on the offense and how bad it is. They can’t seem to decide who is to blame for the misery. Many are calling out head coach Matt Nagy for the ongoing issues. This offense is his baby and it’s been nothing but bad for a long time now. Others are calling out rookie quarterback Justin Fields, saying he isn’t playing well enough to justify the 11th overall pick Chicago spent on him.
One former NFL quarterback in Boomer Esiason believes Fields is the primary issue, accusing the rookie of being unable to handle the blitz. Something offensive coordinator Bill Lazor emphatically refuted when asked about it. Another former QB in Chris Simms would seem to agree. The problems with this offense go far deeper in his mind. Sure Fields needs to play better, but it is hard to do that when his own coaches seem incapable of helping him. His expletive-filled rant on the subject during his Unbuttoned podcast said it all.
Simms touched on a subject many have mentioned already.
Nothing about the Bears’ offensive scheme seems challenging for an opposing defense. It is so bland and rigid in many ways. Whenever a team is able to bottle it up, Nagy too often lacks the ability to adjust. Even though the Bears have made a greater commitment to running the ball and even changed play callers, the system remains largely the same. Especially from a passing perspective.
Too many five-man protections. Not recognizing when a blocker is overmatched. Receivers not being able to get open. Not enough play action despite running the ball well. It just feels like so much of this offense lacks common sense at times. Never a great sign when you’re trying to develop a young QB and not get him killed.
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Justin Fields wants to improve but has to focus on survival
It is looking more and more like Nagy is operating in the last season of his tenure with the Bears. The problem is team chairman George McCaskey is unlikely to fire him before January. That means the rookie has to play 10 more games in this offense. A system he’s already been sacked 22 times in. Fans are becoming less concerned about his progression and more concerned about whether the repeated beatings will forever shatter his confidence. Never mind cause a significant injury.
Justin Fields is tough but every quarterback has a limit. Things aren’t going to get any easier in the coming weeks either. San Francisco, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore are the next three opponents for Chicago. All three have quality pass rushes. Is it possible the Bears will have any sort of plan to counter them besides running the ball a lot? Maybe some screens, slants, and other measures to get the ball out of his hands fast?
Given what has happened thus far, that feels doubtful.
Fields wants to play well. He wants to win. He has said this week he feels the offense is getting closer to a breakthrough. That would be a welcome relief for Bears fans. Yet the ongoing issues with the entire structure of this system make it unlikely that any good performance will last beyond that given week.