4 Areas Chicago Bears QB Justin Fields must improve for the 2023 season
By Evan Bruner
No. 2: Playing Inside the Pocket
It’s natural for a player with physical gifts to want to use them as much as possible. Fields possesses a rare blend of size and athleticism for the position, and it would be a waste not to put it to use. But it’s fair to wonder if Fields’ reliance on his rushing ability has stunted his development in other areas.
Playing within structure remains a key part of the quarterback position. Even the league’s best improvisers, such as Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen, have found success playing inside the pocket.
The improvisational ability will always be there for Fields and adds another wrinkle to Chicago’s offense. However, there are times Fields forces himself to make spectacular plays when he doesn’t have to.
It’s not about sticking to a distinct play style as much as it’s tapping into multiple. Fields can be more willing to sit inside the pocket and still be an elite rushing quarterback.
Just because you can doesn’t always mean you should. Fields needs to be a better judge of when to bail from the pocket and when not to this season. Not only will this add stability to the offense, but it will also protect Fields in the long run. If he can learn how to operate inside the pocket, he won’t subject himself to nearly as many hits as he did a year ago.