Justin Fields‘ preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs wasn’t anything special. He finished 4-of-7 for 48 yards, no TDs, and no interceptions. He had two excellent throws to Darnell Mooney and Tajae Sharpe for long gains. Two of his passes were also dropped. Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy said on Monday that he was pleased with the overall performance. It was a strong indication of the progress Fields is making.
However, there was one play the coach critiqued his young quarterback on. One of the habits the coaching staff has worked to break with Fields is his tendency to abandon the pocket and run too early. Several times last season, he scrambled when it wasn’t necessary. He could’ve and should’ve hung in the pocket and gone to his next progression. That happened late in the 1st quarter. On 1st down at the Chiefs’ 43-yard line, Fields took a snap in the shotgun. Protection held up well. It looked like some was coming from the left tackle spot, but Braxton Jones does a good shop of corralling the rusher.
Unfortunately, Fields panics and decides to tuck it and run. This resulted in him taking an unnecessary shot after sliding for minimal gain. Had he stepped up in the pocket and reached his second progression, he likely would’ve seen tight end Chase Allen (#87) wide open.
Luke Getsy made sure to single that play out after the game.
He told the media during his presser it was the one sequence he wishes the team could have back. At the same time, it was a valuable teaching moment for Fields. That is why coaches continue to coach quarterbacks to stay in the pocket until they have no choice. Don’t scramble unless it’s necessary. The idea is to limit the number of hits taken as much as possible. Getsy isn’t worried about such things. He is confident the Bears QB will improve as he compiles more game reps.
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There was good with the bad too. While Fields had some happy feet moments, there were also instances of him hanging in the pocket and delivering strikes. One of the best throws of week one by any quarterback came on 3rd and 9 with the Bears backed up inside their own 10-yard line. Fields recognized a Chiefs blitzed, adjusted the protection, and fired a missile to Tajae Sharpe for a 1st down while getting hit. Luke Getsy must’ve been proud on that one. It is all about trusting that things are trending in the right direction.
I was kinda surprised when the O’line didn’t jump all over the joker who hit Fields in the head on a QB slide. The refs screwed up royally, but the O’ line should have reminded the joker who hit Fields that Fields has friends. Did I just miss that?
PLEASE, for the love of GOD!! spend sometime teaching him how to slide. I know it seems like he should be getting some of those calls… but I’d rather have him NOT get hit than get penalty yardage.
one of those hits is going to give him a concussion.
he slides seated… never seen any other QB slide like that. it’s NOT good.
PLEASE teach him to slide layed out… that way they actually CAN NOT hit him.
Knowing the offense inside and out helps a QB stay calm. Good blocking also helps. Now he needs game experience in the system — that will also help a ton.