The calls for keeping Justin Fields at quarterback remain loud. Fans feel the 24-year-old has done enough to justify more time, preferably with another infusion of talent around him. The offensive line is improved. D.J. Moore is a star. Cole Kmet continues to blossom. However, holes still remain. They need another playmaking wide receiver and a viable option at center. It is a fair case to make, with one exception. If Fields returns, one thing will need to change. Luke Getsy will have to go as offensive coordinator.
It has become clear the young assistant doesn’t have a feel for the job. While he has been solid at designing plays, his feel for playcalling and situational awareness remain subpar. Head coach Matt Eberflus must do everything in his power to maximize Fields in 2024. That won’t happen with Getsy running the show. This much is evident by now. Obviously, the question becomes who could achieve this objective if and when a change is made. I compiled a short list of names that make the most sense.
These coaches would be far better prepared than Luke Getsy was
Darrell Bevell (Dolphins passing game coordinator)
One QB Fields has often been compared to is Russell Wilson. The two share many similarities, from outstanding mobility to down-the-field aggressiveness. One person who got the most out of Wilson was Bevell. He was the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks from 2012 through 2017. During that time, Wilson made five Pro Bowls, reached two Super Bowls, and won a Lombardi trophy. He also had four of his five highest Total Quarterback Rating seasons. Bevell is a seasoned and experienced play-caller with a strong track record of success. He understands how to utilize mobile quarterbacks as an extension of the run game while still working to develop their pocket passing. If anybody would understand how to coach Fields, it’s Bevell.
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Pat Shurmur (Colorado senior analyst)
Most remember him as a terrible head coach who flopped in Cleveland and New York. However, Shurmur has a much stronger reputation as an offensive coordinator. He got respectable seasons from Nick Foles in Philadelphia, Daniel Jones in New York, and Teddy Bridgewater in Denver. He even reached an NFC championship with Case Keenum. A good Fields comparison would be Jones, another dual-threat type. He threw a career-high 24 touchdowns in 2019 as a rookie under Shurmur’s direction. He’s never gotten close to that number since. Shurmur was also a quarterbacks coach for Donovan McNabb. So he understands what must be done to balance the running and passing.
Greg Roman (Free agent)
Probably the most accomplished offensive coordinator in the business when it comes to harnessing uber-athletic quarterbacks. It started with Colin Kaepernick in San Francisco, where the two reached back-to-back NFC championships and a Super Bowl together. Then came a Pro Bowl run for Tyrod Taylor in Buffalo. Last but not least, Roman turned Lamar Jackson into an MVP with the Baltimore Ravens. His run schemes are some of the best the NFL has seen across the past couple of decades. Nobody would weaponize Fields’ legs better. It would come down to whether the Bears can live with the fact Roman isn’t the best when it comes to crafting a diverse passing attack.
Mike Shula (Bills offensive analyst)
Another seasoned former coordinator with tons of experience working with mobile quarterbacks. It began as a quarterbacks coach in Jacksonville, where he worked with David Garrard. However, his big break came in Carolina, where he took over the development of a young Cam Newton. The pair reached a Super Bowl together, with Newton winning the MVP in 2015 and claiming two Pro Bowls during their partnership. He was also with Shurmur in New York for that 2019 see,ason where Jones a his strong first year. Not to mention he’s helped Buffalo with Josh Allen for the past two seasons. He would likely have a strong understanding of Fields’ strengths and weaknesses right from the jump, unlike Luke Getsy.
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This article has generated many comments because it begins looking at other successful and unsuccessful teams and coordinators. Observations regarding Justin Fields “ceiling” (perceived) are interesting and the comments about SF, Purdy and SF’s success or lack of, are fascinating. Shanahan has had a number of quarterbacks at Washington and SF. His father had a mobile quarterback (for his time) in Elway, and had success in that direction. The fascinating thing about Getsy being categorized as a “Shanahan” coordinator is that Getsy never worked with Kyle Shanahan and I don’t think he understands the ability of Shanahan to adapt, and… Read more »
@Arnie…oh ok I see what your saying. Yes he was known for rather taking a sack than throwing a pick.
Will you at least consider changing your name to Jiota, so I don’t look as foolish?
@jmscooby, if I had a $1 for every time someone misspelled my name, I would have made the McCaskeys an offer they couldn’t refuse. 😉