3 reasons Justin Fields is primed to breakout with Chicago Bears
The third season will be a huge year for Justin Fields to show the Chicago Bears how valuable he is to this team, city, and franchise. The team will either decide to pick up his fif,th-year option and start contract talks, or they will be entering year four with questions about the future based on what Fields does this season.
Chicago Bears fans should feel as though the best is going to be coming from Justin Fields, and here is why.
3. Chicago Bears have much better pass protection
Was Justin Fields taking too many sacks, or was the offensive line allowing too many sacks? The debate has essentially become the chicken or the egg debate for Chicago Bears fans. So, the team did the best that they could to make sure this discussion is over.
First, Braxton Jones will be entering his second season. He came from Southern Utah to the Senior Bowl, to the NFL Combine, then immediately competed for a job and did not miss a snap in the process. With a full offseason, the team could see him in better shape and more understanding of the steps he needs to take.
The team also did not have Teven Jenkins at right guard until moments before the start of the season. Even early on he was in a rotation because the move was so fresh. Whether Jenkins plays left or right side, he is going to be in that spot from the jump and will be more experienced.
The issue with Cody Whitehair is whether he will last through the season with his age and recent injuries. The good news is that the backup plan is Lucas Patrick, and last season Patrick was Plan A. So, that is an improvement at the least. Lastly, they added Nate Davis and Darnell Wright. Even if Darnell Wright is green, it cannot be worse than Alex Leatherwood getting benched after two drives against the Eagles.
So, maybe the line is not elite or the best in the NFL, but on paper, it should be better at all five spots. If the sacks remain the same, we may know the issue, but there is a strong case to be made that they will drop.