Some Chicago Bears fans and Justin Fields critics were anxious to watch the game in New York on Sunday. They wondered what might happen if Trevor Siemian played well, particularly through the air. It would serve as confirmation that the young quarterback isn’t as good as people claim. He’s nothing more than a glorified running back that makes most of his big plays on the ground. Those criticisms seemed validated in the 1st quarter. Siemian completed seven of his first nine passes for 120 yards and a touchdown.
People were all too eager to seize the moment, saying Fields was a great talent but not polished enough as a passer. Well, they probably should’ve waited. After his hot start, Siemian finished the day 7-of-16 for 59 yards and an interception. Dig into the numbers further and it looks even worse. In that initial hot start, it’s not like Siemian did anything special. Almost half the yardage (59) came from two checkdowns to running backs David Montgomery and Darrynton Evans. Another 31 came on a 50-50 throw that Chase Claypool did a great job bringing down. If that weren’t enough, his touchdown pass probably would’ve been intercepted if not for a tremendous individual effort by Byron Pringle.
Justin Fields’ absence was felt most on the scoreboard.
Chicago only scored 10 points. People can whine about the passing yards all they want. The fact was Fields helped the team get into the end zone. They’d scored 24 or more points in every game for six weeks prior to Sunday. It is more apparent than ever he was making chicken salad out of chicken s**t. Plenty of people recognized that. Far too many others couldn’t get past the fact he wasn’t putting up 300 passing yards every week. It’s obvious now that he couldn’t. The offensive line and wide receivers aren’t good enough to employ that style of offense. Siemian was only sacked twice, but it would’ve been way more if he hadn’t gotten the ball out fast on several throws.
Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy said the team runs the offense that they feel gives them the best chance to win. Just because Justin Fields isn’t throwing a lot doesn’t mean he can’t. It means the team can’t. The strength of this offense is the running game. His mobility helped maximize that. With him out, the Jets were able to corral Siemian after a slow start and shut him down. Rest assured; they breathed a sigh of relief when Fields was declared inactive for the game.
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Maybe it’s time to appreciate the quarterback for the actual danger he is. Please stop trying to mold him into some narrow vision of what a quarterback should be. Embrace the abilities because, like it or not, they work.
You’re wasting your time, Erik. Haters gonna hate. That’s all they got. Keep in mind that in the nascent days of sportstalk radio, geniuses lit up the airwaves back in 1986 saying it was time for the Bears to find a healthy QB and move on from that bum Jim McMahon.
Maybe they’re pining for the glory days of Jay Cu*tler, who could throw for 300 yards and lead his team to a .500 record. Sure, he couldn’t win with teams that far outstripped the 2022 Bears, but he sure looked good slinging it from the pocket, didn’t he?
@FootballAtArlington – Are you high?
Yesterday was simply a throw away game that any Bears fan hoped they would lose. Nothing else. Fields needs to learn to pass. And he still needs to take a big step in that area this year alone. I’m tired of seeing his showcasing his running skills. Ok, we get it. You can do that all day long until you get hurt. You had weeks full of praise and turned into a sports God in Chicago.. Sorry, but that joy is gone now. Time to learn to pass or we officially have a smaller Lamar Jackson to deal with for… Read more »
@Dean 👏👏 Totally on point, usually first 15 plays are scripted. That’s why Siemian looked somewhat competent in the first quarter than like a lost puppy the rest of the game.
@Rich is on point too! Alan Williams has to F-ing go! I just still can’t comprehend why Flus hasn’t injected himself more into the play calling on D. Williams was terrible with the Vikings hence why he only lasted a single season!
I agree with the article…and must ask what the Hell is the purpose of Chicago having an NFL team? How did the ownership allow this to happen? What were they thinking??