Say this for Justin Fields. He has an ego. No self-respecting professional athlete doesn’t. However, the Chicago Bears quarterback has the ability to check that ego when it matters. Namely when it involves the prospect of improving himself. The first indication of this came when he instructed his coaching staff not to feel shy about coaching him hard. He has no fear of criticism. If anything, he welcomes it. The 24-year-old isn’t afraid to ask questions, especially to people he knows can help him.
Fields explained this week that head coach Matt Eberflus got in contact with Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young. He plans to reach out in the near future to ask him about what it takes to operate as a professional quarterback. Young was much the same way as Fields. He was known more for his rushing ability than his passing early in his career. How he overcame it could prove invaluable to the Bears quarterback. However, the networking won’t end there. Fields revealed on SiriusXM that offensive coordinator Luke Getsy would help him get in touch with another superstar.
“I try to, you know, get guys’ opinions after the game. Our offensive coordinator last year [Luke Getsy], he was with Green Bay. So I reached out to him and grabbed Aaron’s [Rodgers] number. So, just going to reach out to him.”
Justin Fields understands a basic rule of war.
There is no greater teacher than the enemy. Aaron Rodgers has long been the ceiling the Bears haven’t been able to punch through. Every time it looked like they were going to make progress, it was Rodgers there to put them in their place. Fields isn’t so arrogant as to think he is better than the future Hall of Famer. Quite the contrary. He’s smart enough to realize that Rodgers has so much he can teach him about the right way to play quarterback. It would be sheer folly to brush off such an opportunity, even if the man plays for Chicago’s hated rival.
It is okay for Bears fans to dislike Rodgers. He gives them plenty of reasons. That said, the man is one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. Justin Fields can learn so much from him. How to see the game. How to go through reads, make checks, and when to turn the football loose. If Fields learn how to play like Rodgers even a little bit, he would be a far more dangerous quarterback. Good on him for having the courage to reach out. More than a few people wouldn’t be able to.
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Well, this is interesting. I don’t think we should be surprised that these guys actually “network” with no only their co-workers but peers and competitors, too (shocker). But I don’t know if I would publicly mention a hated rival like Rodgers. The fan bases will have a lot of fun with this. I can hear the comments now. “The student has now surpassed the teacher.” “So Fields is goiing to Aaron to learn how to play QB. You’re welcome!”
How about watching (and emulating) the way Patrick Mahomes deals with a pass rush?
Really don’t care who he talks or doesn’t talk to. If Chicago fixes the offensive line and adds a weapon or 2, Fields better become a better passer. He held the ball to long in college and still struggles with that tendency. Can he improve, sure he can. Will he, that’s yet to be seen. I’m really pulling for him, I’m so exhausted as a Bears fan of our broken carousel of quarterbacks.
Is he gonna teach Fields how to choke in the playoffs because of overly cautious tendancies?
Tonkaman…you have obviously never had an interaction with AR12