Justin Fields Still Struggling In One Vital Area That He Has Full Control Over
The Chicago Bears are still reeling after their 31-26 loss to the Detroit Lions this past Sunday, in which they blew a 12-point lead with four minutes left. Chicago couldn’t secure the win for quarterback Justin Fields, who had a terrific day as he rushed for over 100 yards, recorded a passer rating of over 100, and connected with wide receiver DJ Moore on a highlight touchdown. Despite the success, it appears that Fields’ success will be reliant on the team’s success, as the third-year quarterback failed to come to the rescue again, something that has been a recurring trend.
Fields Has Still Yet To Lead A Game-Winning Drive For The Bears
After missing the last four games due to a thumb injury, Fields returned against the Lions and had one of his most impressive games since becoming the Bears’ full-time quarterback last season. Against Detroit, Chicago’s third-year quarterback completed 16 of 23 pass attempts, did not throw an interception and was only sacked twice. Fields did a terrific job of getting the ball out quickly, finding the open receiver, and identifying blitzes by Detroit’s defense.
The positive performance was reassuring as there is a fierce debate on whether Fields is the Bears’ long-term answer at quarterback, with the remaining six games left to determine that question. Although Sunday’s game was a step in the right direction, Chicago’s young quarterback did make another mistake that has been a recurring issue for him during his short NFL career. With Chicago having 30 seconds left to tie the game while having two timeouts, Fields was unable to lead the offense on a game-winning or game-tying drive as he was sacked and stripped of the football by defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, leading to a safety.
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Although Fields deserves no blame for Chicago’s loss against the Lions, the question of whether or not he can be the elite quarterback talent fans of the franchise are hoping for remains due to the issues late in games. Since last season, the Bears starting quarterback has had an opportunity to lead the offense on a game-winning or game-tying drive on the final possession of a contest eight times. Despite having a few instances in which a wide receiver fumbled a ball or dropped a pass in the endzone, Fields has been responsible for the offense’s inability to convert in clutch moments as either an interception or turnover on downs takes place.
Fields was given an excuse last season for these struggles due to not having talent around him, but with the presence of Moore, along with the continuity growth of wide receiver Darnell Mooney and tight end Cole Kmet, the struggles have continued this season. On Sunday, the dual-threat quarterback improved on every weakness that plagued him last season but fell back into old habits on the final drive. For the entire game, Fields was terrific stepping up in the pocket, but yet, on the sack-fumble, drifted back in the pocket, didn’t show awareness of pressure, and kept the ball low, enabling Hutchinson to strip the ball away.
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With improvement over the entire offense from last year to now, Fields has no excuse not to improve on his flaws and be able to rescue the Bears, even when it isn’t his fault. Being able to lead a 40-yard scoring drive to set up a game-tying field goal with 30 seconds is difficult but not impossible. In Chicago’s 2015 contest against the Lions in Detroit, former quarterback Jay Cutler led the offense on a 69-yard drive in three plays with 21 seconds left to set up a game-tying field goal to force overtime.
Fields’ Lacks An Ability To Have Grace Under Pressure and Not Unravel With Everyone Else
The other issue with Fields’ turnover at the end of the game against the Lions was also troubling because it has been a common trend that hasn’t gotten much attention despite playing a significant role in outcomes. The turnover, which resulted in two points for the Lions, was the seventh time in the past two years that a turnover by Chicago’s quarterback either directly led to points for the opposing defense or set up an easy score for the opposing offense.
To make matters worse, Fields has turned the ball over following an opposing scoring, allowing momentum to spiral out of control in a negative way for Chicago. Against Green Bay, Denver, and Detroit this season, the Bears quarterback has either fumbled or been intercepted for a score immediately following a score by the opponent’s offense. Against Kansas City, a Fields interception following a field goal led to an easy touchdown, enabling the Chiefs to increase their lead by ten points in less than a minute of play.
Elite quarterbacks have a knack for being able to reverse negative momentum for their team and finding a way to lead a scoring drive to reverse the trend of a game. Whether it be Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, or Jalen Hurts, these quarterbacks have demonstrated an ability to answer an opponent’s score with a score of their own instead of a turnover. Against Detroit at home last year, along with Denver this year, Fields’ turnover led a return score by the defense, tying both games in the fourth quarters, both times Chicago lost.
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The issue of Fields being unable to lead clutch drives late in the 4th quarter, along with turning the ball over, resulting in scores, should be considered when debating if he is Chicago’s long-term answer at quarterback. Elite quarterbacks find a way to persevere against any obstacles, whether their fault or the fault of others. If Fields wants to be viewed as a franchise quarterback, he needs to demonstrate that he can rise to occasion and be the game-winning difference maker, regardless of the situation.