Impact of Justin Fields' Comfort Level
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It was assumed, but good to hear in Justin Fields' own words.
When the Bears quarterback met media for the first time since last season on Tuesday, he pointed to his familiarity with Luke Getsy's offense in Year 2 as possibly the main reason why he's feeling more confident.
"It's the first season I'm going into where it's my second year knowing the offense, so definitely feel more comfortable in it, just with my reads and stuff like that, just seeing what the defense is doing and stuff like that," Fields said. "It's truly amazing when you have that feeling going in, knowing where your guys are going to be, more comfortable with the footwork stuff. It's been great."
It's refreshing to hear, partly because the last time the Bears had a young quarterback in this situation they decided to elevate demands on him mentally to the point of detriment.
This was the infamous "Matt Nagy Offense 200 Level," for quarterback Mitchell Trubisky in his third year, but second under that coaching staff. And suddenly things were made tougher for him with so much more expected.
So letting Fields feel comfortable and expand his knowledge of the offense naturally as the season progresses seems to be more of a priority than showing off what kind of souped up attack the coach can produce to mystify everyone—including his own QB.
Fields has a few other reasons for optimism.
Mainly, it comes from his targets, from wide receiver DJ Moore, from new tight end Robert Tonyan, and even from—and apparently Bears fans won't believe it based on all the social media complaining about him—but actually Chase Claypool.
For some reason Claypool has been a source of irritation with fans who don't seem to understand how extremely difficult changing teams as a wide receiver at midseason can be. Claypool last year produced at no different of a rate than most other receivers who have had to do this in recent years.
One of the great exceptions last year was tight end T.J. Hockenson in Minnesota, who piled up catches after moving from Detroit but also was playing with a QB whose tendency always seems to be dumping it down to the closer, friendlier target. And tight end always has been known as a QB's best friend if nothing else. Fields is already impressed with his own new tight end.
"Of course Rob (Tonyan) came from this offense, so he's already experienced with it," Fields said. "He's a great route runner, natural pass catcher, just great to have him. I think him and Cole (Kmet) will definitely learn from each other and of course, DJ, he's been in the league for quite some time now, so he understands it. He's smart."
In a few OTA practices with Moore, Fields has gained rapid appreciation for how a highly productive wide receiver gets the job done despite the handicap in Carolina of working with numerous quarterbacks.
"Strength, speed, body control, great hands, I think he knows how to use his body to get open," Fields said. "I think that's a big part in receivers. He knows how to tip a route, so he's rarely ever going to be running a hundred percent on all the routes, he has that second gear to go get the ball. I think that's what makes him a great receiver, just his understanding of the coverages, seeing the defense well and stuff like that."
Claypool's improvement has been a goal for Fields and Getsy and he's getting every chance to work toward it with Darnell Mooney still rehabbing after last year's ankle surgery.
"Chase has improved tremendously from the end of last year to now," Fields said. "That's one thing I'm truly proud to say, seeing his work ethic, his attitude change. You can just see he's taking another step. So definitely excited for that.
"We don't have Mooney right now in practice. So once we get him back, it's going to be awesome, very excited for sure."
The passing game improvement in Year 2 within the system was assumed, and coaches led everyone to think this way, but confirmation in the quarterback's own words is always good to hear.
Twitter: BearDigest@BearsOnMaven
