Bears’ Backup Quarterbacks Have Fair Well When Pressed Into Action Because Of Injury
The Chicago Bears will make their second appearance of the year at MetLife Stadium as they will look to snap a four-game losing streak against the New York Jets. Second-year quarterback Justin Fields will likely miss the game with a left-shoulder injury. Second-string quarterback Trevor Siemian will make his first start of 2022 as history could be in his favor with him making his first start for the Bears as a backup.
Bears’ Backup Quarterbacks Have Performed Well In Their First Start When Filling-In Due To Injury
Although Chicago has been historically bad at the quarterback position throughout the franchise’s history, there have been surprisingly good performances from their backups when forced into action due to injury. Since 2011, the Bears’ have had their second-string passer start at least one game due to injury in all but two seasons. Jay Cutler, Mitchell Trubisky, Fields are all starting quarterbacks who have gotten hurt and missed time because of being hurt.
In 2011 and 2013, Cutler missed extended time both seasons due to a broken thumb and other injuries, as backups Caleb Hanie and Josh McCown started four games or more during his absence. In Hanie’s first start with the Bears against the Oakland Raiders in 2011, he threw three interceptions but also threw for two touchdowns and 254 yards passing. Despite Chicago losing by a score of 25-20, the offense gave the team a chance to win the game on the final play.
Two years later, McCown would make his second start with Chicago, but his first for Cutler due to injury, as he started against the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football. The Bears’ would pull a massive upset beating their rivals 27-20, as the offense gained over 400 total yards, with a significant amount of yardage coming from their backup quarterback. McCown passed for 272 yards and two touchdowns as Chicago’s offense scored three touchdowns and was unphased by the absence of Cutler.
The 2016 season featured two times in which the Bears had to start their backup quarterbacks due to injuries to Cutler. In Week 3, Brian Hoyer started for Chicago against the Dallas Cowboys and passed for 317 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-17 loss. Nine weeks later, against the Tennessee Titans, the Bears were forced to start third-string quarterback Matt Barkley because of injuries to Cutler and Hoyer. Barkley also passed for over 300 yards and three touchdowns while nearly completing a 20-point fourth-quarter comeback.
In 2018, Chase Daniel started on Thanksgiving as Trubisky missed two games with a shoulder injury similar to Fields. With only four days to prepare for the Thanksgiving game against the Lions, Daniel still managed to pass for 230 yards, two touchdowns, and had a quarterback rating of over 100. The win enabled the Bears’ to have their first non-losing season since 2013.
Last season, third-string quarterback Nick Foles had to start in Chicago’s Week 16 game against the Seattle Seahawks due to injuries to Fields and Andy Dalton. Foles led the Bears to a come-from-behind victory throwing a 15-yard touchdown pass to Jimmy Graham and then executing a two-point conversion attempt with a minute left in the game. Chicago won the 25-24 as their third-string quarterback passed for 250 yards and led the offense to three touchdowns.
Trevor Siemian Will Be In A Favorable Position To Perform Well Against the Jets
With Siemian expected to start with Fields sidelined with his injury, he is in a good situation to perform in his first start with Chicago. The Bears’ offense features the best rushing offense in the league, as the team has had three players record a 100-yard rushing game this season. Although Fields and running back Khalil Herbert are out for the game, David Montgomery can be a game-changing back. Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy will also likely utilize several wide receivers in the running game.
Equanimous St. Brown, Velus Jones Jr, and Dante Pettis have all recorded rushing attempts this season of 10 yards or more. Chicago’s wide receiver position will likely have the best potential talent at the position this season against the Jets as all of their players have returned from injury. Sunday’s game against the Jets could be the first time the Bears have Darnell Mooney, Chase Claypool, N’Keal Harry, and Byron Pringle active together. Having the best cast of pass-catchers on the field will make Siemian’s debut easier as the Bears’ offense will likely deploy a quick and short passing scheme.
The main concern for the Bears on offense and one of the main reasons why it is unlikely Fields will play is because of the Jets and the stellar play of their defense. Through ten games of the 2022 season, New York has recorded 32 sacks, while Chicago’s offensive line has already allowed 40 sacks. Fields’ mobility has saved the Bears’ offensive line from further scrutiny, as his ability to avoid pressure has kept the offense from having even more sacks. Although Siemian is more of a pocket-passer, Chicago’s offensive line has performed better for the last few weeks and could change the narrative about them with a good performance against New York.
It is never fun when a backup quarterback has to start a game due to an injury to the team’s starting quarterback, but for the Bears’ it hasn’t been a bad situation. Backup quarterbacks forced to start because of injury for Chicago have performed well in their first start with the team. For Siemian against the Jets on Sunday, the offense has a chance to still be productive despite missing their best player.