Justin Fields didn’t put up great numbers against the Buffalo Bills. Not that it was his fault. Once again, the Chicago Bears quarterback was plagued by dropped passes from his receivers, poor blocking from his offensive line, and mistakes by his running backs. Despite that, he still managed to complete the game without a turnover. While his overall passing numbers aren’t anything special, not enough people are talking about how much his efficiency has improved this year. Enough to where he has a chance to do something special.
Last season, Fields finished with a 73.1 passer rating. It wasn’t pretty. If he can put together two decent outings against the Lions and Vikings in the final two weeks, he may finish with a rating of 90+. Currently, he sits at 88.32 with two games left. Remember, he’s done this despite most of his offensive line and wide receivers going down with injuries throughout the season. Last but not least, here’s a fun fact. The Bears have seen a quarterback cross the 90.0 passer rating barrier only three times in a season where they started 14 or more games.
Erik Kramer in 1995, Jay Cutler in 2015, and Mitch Trubisky in 2018. That’s it. Fields can be the fourth and would do it with, by far, the worst supporting cast.
Justin Fields has done more with less than any Bears QB ever.
That is a fact. He’s crossed the 3,000-yard barrier thanks to 1,000 rushing and now has 24 touchdowns to ten interceptions. By any reasonable metric, that would be called a productive season. He did it without anything close to resembling a Pro Bowl player at the other ten spots on offense. GM Ryan Poles knows he has to get things fixed starting next off-season. That means better blocking and better pass catchers. The Bears finally have a quarterback that can make the guys around him better.
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People need to appreciate what he’s done. He overcame minimal help, a new offensive scheme, and a tough schedule to play some of the most efficient football at quarterback this town has seen. Yes, the bar is set pretty low. That shouldn’t take away from what he has accomplished. His two remaining opponents have defenses he can exploit. Fans should be excited about his future but don’t overlook the present. Justin Fields deserves far more recognition for what he has accomplished this year than he’ll get.
@scott brs Yeah, I was only 5 when I first saw Gale Sayers. I didn’t know a human being could move like that. I found out later it’s because most human beings can’t. And Butkus, well, he just scared the crap out of me.
Beauty and the Beast they were called. They’re the reason why I fell in love with football.
And Walter is the reason why I fell in love with the Bears.
Good Lord. Evans, Avellini, … Worst ever is saying something.
@Dean I thought I was old enough to suffer some rough times. I feel for you. It just gets under my skin a little bit when people say things like worst thing EVER. There was a time before the year 2000.
As I was reading this article a horrible memory popped up. I’m old enough to remember two of the greatest Bears ever. In fact, they were two of the greatest to ever put on cleats – Gale Sayers and Dick Butkus.
Both played on some of the worst Bear teams ever. And neither ever won a championship.
Now we have potentially the best QB we’ve ever had and… oh man… I do not want to see that repeat itself.
God someone pleeeez talk me off this ledge!
@eecummings Mooney and Claypool are our starting receivers this season. Just meant I would take our third and fourth string over Bellamy and Wright.