The Chicago Bears have not 100% committed to Justin Fields, but everything that Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus have said and done publicly has pointed that way. The duo has noted that they would have to see something extremely tempting to consider moving off of Fields, but they also both were clear that Fields is not excused from the team winning so few games.
Chicago Bears want Justin Fields to take what is given more often
Eberflus specifically went into some areas where he would love to see Fields get better next season.
Interesting quote from Matt Eberflus on where he needs to see Justin Fields improve as a passer. Wants him to take what the defense is giving him more. https://t.co/2jgGnJXAic pic.twitter.com/UqRMixTeM1
— Bear Goggles On (@BearGogglesOn) March 1, 2023
This makes a lot of sense and is really the happy medium between the hot takes you hear across the media landscape. On one side you hear that his legs are what makes him one of the best options moving forward. On the other you hear that he is all rushing and cannot throw.
Matt Ebeflus is here for a dose of realiity which is that running is great, and creates panic within the defense but every once in a while, Justin Fields can avoid the super man act and take the quick pass for a few yards.
As Eberflus added, when they are in the red zone, or it is third down, and Fields wants to make a play, that is the perfect time. We saw him bail out plenty of third down and long situations. However, Eberflus is acknowledging some of those situations did not have to be third and long.
Perhaps Fields had a three-yard pass, and was too busy eyeing up the deep ball that he never saw it. Or, he was too busy thinking about running for a big gain. Still, there are times where a three-yard completion and second and seven is okay. Not every play has to be the game chaning explosive pass or run.
If Justin Fields can find that happy medium we are going to be talking about an elite passer. Perhaps as the team gets more reliable options across the board the pressure of doing it all himself turns into the idea of getting the ball out quick and letting his play makers work with the ball in their hands.
The Chicago Bears are not out on Justin Fields, but they cannot be all-in and acting like he should have won MVP. It is good on Eberflus to note specific changes, and also specific situations when it si okay to revert to play maker mode, but also realize there are moments he need