GM Ryan Poles has certain buzzwords he looks for when evaluating players he wants for his team. Tough, athletic, and gritty come to mind. However, there is none he values more than “resilient.” If you’re going to be successful in the NFL, you must know how to handle the constant mental and physical demands of football. Poles wants guys he knows will be giving the same effort and intensity in the 4th quarter and overtime that he would on the opening drive of a game. That is what separates the best from everybody else. Justin Fields sits atop that list of names needing to prove this.
Poles has said multiple times that the Bears want to see more positive plays from their young quarterback in two-minute situations. It was an area he struggled with last season. While they don’t doubt his toughness, they must know if he can execute in high-stakes situations. Signs have grown that Fields is learning to handle them better. However, Tuesday may have been his most encouraging sign. Nicholas Moreano of CHGO witness a moment of practice where Fields had to overcome multiple setbacks on offense to salvage a last-minute drive.
He did it by not panicking and hanging in the pocket when it mattered.
“The Bears’ first-team offense lined up on the 50-yard line with less than a minute on the clock against the first-team defense in 11 on 11s.
Fields took the snap and Dominique Robinson used the “jump cross chop” move against Braxton Jones and got around the corner. Still, Fields remained in the pocket and found a wide open Cole Kmet in the middle of the field.
Also, in the middle of the field was a yellow flag, because Kmet pushed off on Adrian Colbert. The Bears got some of the yardage back on a completion to DJ Moore on a curl route to the right side. But on second-and-8, Fields was sacked, putting the offense in about a third-and-16.
In situations like this last season, usually, the Bears’ offense would be forced to punt. This time, though, Fields found rookie wide receiver Tyler Scott open in the middle of the field to secure the first down. The offense immediately rushed to the line and Fields spiked the ball and he walked off in confidence, knowing he set up Cairo Santos for a makeable field goal.
From 50 yards out, Santos put the ball through the uprights.”
Justin Fields isn’t there yet, but the gap is closing.
What stood out about the drive itself is every important play Fields made was with his arm. Last year he likely would’ve tucked the ball and ran, trying to make something happen with his legs. This time he chose to trust his blocking and his receivers to make the plays for him. The fact it was rookie Tyler Scott making the decisive play might be the best part of everything. He’s looked quite sharp throughout camp. Making such a significant play against the #1 defense proves he might have playing time waiting for him when the season kicks off.
Maybe the most important development from Justin Fields’ perspective was the blocking. Holding up in 3rd and long situations is never easy. Doing so with the “game” on the line is the most difficult. Practice or not, they did their job and the quarterback took care of the rest. That is how offenses are supposed to execute. The next step is getting it done in actual games. It’s unlikely Fields will see any two-minute situations in the preseason, so his first opportunity may come against Green Bay in the opener. Rather fitting.
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