Justin Fields isn’t having the best start to his 2022 season. He’s yet to cross 200 yards passing in a game, has two touchdowns with four interceptions, and has been sacked 16 times. Chicago Bears fans are having trouble determining how they should feel about him. Some think this is early growing pains in a new offensive system made worse by a terrible supporting cast. Others believe a lot of the issues are self-inflicted on his part. He misses reads, seems indecisive, and isn’t always accurate.
That is why asking experts is often a good course of action. Trent Dilfer played in the NFL for a long time. He’s had highs, including a Pro Bowl in 1997 and a Super Bowl championship in 2000. He also had some spectacular lows. So he understands a lot of what Fields is going through. He also knows what to look for when it comes to red flags. After watching the game on Sunday against the New York Giants, he reached a swift conclusion.
Fields was not the problem. Dilfer explained why on Parkins & Spiegel for 670 The Score. It boils down to some bad luck and getting zero help.
Justin Fields is at the mercy of his surroundings.
That is the long and short of it. He’s made his own mistakes. That is undeniable. There have been times he’s made bad reads and still struggles navigating the pocket. Unfortunately, the amount of times he sees a clean pocket is rare. His offensive line has leaks everywhere. Both their tackles have been average at best. Center Sam Mustipher was steamrolled all afternoon in New York. That problem is further magnified by a wide receiving corps bereft of talent. Darnell Mooney was the only one doing anything in that game.
Cole Kmet?
Dante Pettis?
Equanimeous St. Brown?
None of them did much of anything. Kmet had 16 yards on three catches. Pettis had a brutal third down drop. St. Brown was invisible. That is why Justin Fields must constantly take off running with the ball. If nobody else is going to make a play, it has to be him. He is on pace for 624 yards rushing. This is presuming he survives long enough to finish the season despite all the hits he’s taking.
Dilfer believes the quarterback isn’t the biggest problem with this offense. It’s hard to argue with him when rewatching the tape from Sunday.
This content was originally published here.
