Opinions on Justin Fields are all over the map right now. Plenty of people think he’s been outright bad. Others claim he’s been better than he gets credit for. The truth is he has looked exactly like what he is. A rookie. There are good moments and bad moments. All of it is part of a learning experience that should make him a better quarterback in the long run. For Matt Nagy though? There were a few moments in the loss to the Green Bay Packers where he saw glimpses of something special.
The head coach was disappointed by the loss. He again admitted that the offense has looked good at times but still isn’t doing its job often enough. Scoring just 14 points in big games like this isn’t going to cut it. That said, he believes Fields took another notable step forward in his development. Specifically in regards to him not hesitating as much on his throws. Conviction is showing up more often than ever.
It wasn’t the prettiest drive ever.
There was a botched snap exchange that put the Bears into 2nd and 14. However, Fields again proved that he isn’t intimidated by long down and distance situations. Not like Mitch Trubisky seemed to be. This was where Fields seemed to tap into that professional operation Nagy was talking about. On the first play, he hits Darnell Mooney for 11 on a nice out route. Then he drops it in the bucket to Allen Robinson between two defenders for 20 on the next. Last but not least, he fires a rocket to the end zone to Marquise Goodwin, drawing an easy pass interference.
Seeing Fields play like this compared to where he was a few weeks ago in Cleveland? It is evident he is making progress. The speed of the NFL is slowing down a bit. He’s not thinking as much. Everything isn’t clicking yet, but he’s getting there.
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Matt Nagy better hope the switch flip comes sooner than later
The longer this offense goes without some sort of breakout game? The hotter his seat gets as head coach of the Chicago Bears. This team is 30th in points scored and 32nd in total yards. Pretty much the worst in the NFL. It isn’t the running game either. David Montgomery, Damien Williams, and Khalil Herbert have done a great job churning out yards on the ground for the past few weeks no.
This is mostly about the passing game. Blaming Fields for everything is so easy. He’s the rookie so everything starts with him. In reality, the entire structure of the passing attack is messed up. The offensive line can barely block in obvious throwing situations. Wide receivers can’t get open with any consistency. Tight ends remain underutilized. That falls at the feet of Matt Nagy.
His job is to make those things work.
If things progress as they have? This with be the fourth season where his offense failed to finish in the top 20. Considering he was hired to actually fix this sort of problem? That is a bad look. Too many times it has felt like the Bears have been outcoached. For all the talk about his leadership, the reality is Nagy comes up lacking in too many areas. Can Fields rescue him? He better hope so.