Bears QB Realizing Adversity's Molding Effect

Taylor Swift might for the Chiefs, but it seems Kelly Clarkson might be the singer for the Bears.

It seemed this way when Justin Fields paraphrased a Clarkson line during Wednesday's weekly quarterback press conference, a very subdued affair in comparison to last week's circus.

"I just know all the adversity I go through is gonna make me stronger as a person and as a player," Fields said. "So just gotta look at the bright side of things and think of yourself as going through adversity for a reason. So that's what I've been doing."

"What doesn't kill me makes me stronger," wasn't playing in the background, but the adversity Fields is going through really is close to a high point since his arrival in Chicago.

In the last four games he started, Fields has struggled mightily. It goes back to his start in a 41-10 loss at Detroit last year and ends with a 41-10 loss last week to the Chiefs.

He has a 62.5 passer rating for those four games with 53.2% completions (58 of 109), four touchdowns, five interceptions and 601 yards. He has had 241 rushing yards in them but 132 of those came during his last game of last year in Detroit. He has only 109 rushing yards for this season's games.

For 10 games prior to these last four, Fields had vaulted a level in production with a passer rating of 96.9, 65.6% completions (151-of-230), 14 TDs and six interceptions. He also had 864 yards rushing in those 10 games.

Disclaimer: For my next video I fully intended on breaking down Justin Fields and the #Bears and blaming Fields for the horrendous outing I watched unfold on my TV. After watching the film, it’s very hard for me to blame Fields and having been in this spot myself, I wish I had…
— Kyle Sloter (@KyleSloter) September 27, 2023

Remarkably, Fields' 2023 start parallels his 2022 start. It's actually better but not by much. Last season he had a passer rating of 58.7 and 50.7% completions with just 147 yards rushing on 34 attempts following four games.

Then, suddenly, in Week 5 last year he made a major leap forward against the Vikings and it triggered his 10-game stretch with a 96.9 passer rating.

Fields apparently will be leaning on Darnell Mooney for some support as he tries to exit this funk.

"Mooney, a lot, for sure, he's probably the main guy that I just go and talk to, rap with, but a lot of guys," Fields. "We have a lot of great leaders. Talked to DJ (Moore) a little bit this week. Just try to get the leaders of the offense and make sure everybody's morale is up and everybody's determined to go win."

More than leaning on them to talk to in the locker room, Fields needs to lean on the two for completions. And the two need to get open.

"DJ is a great player," coach Matt Eberflus said. "He really is. He's a great person, too. We obviously have to target him as well as the other skill on our team. That's one of the conversations we're having as a group, as an offensive staff and myself, is being able to in the first plays of the game–the first 15–to really target those skill players. And DJ's one of those guys."

Defenses continue to cheat as much as possible to try and stop Moore.

"I mean, yeah, when you have a player like that, you always want to give him the ball, but the defense knows that," Fields said. "It's not like they don't know he's probably our best receiver.

"So just like last time (against Chiefs), they're gonna put two guys over him, they're gonna cloud his side, but, of course, when we do get those opps, we definitely want to get him the route for sure."

Fields pointed out there's more than just Moore to throw to if this is what defenses are doing.

"I think no question about that, but you also have to distribute the skill to the skill–Mooney, Cole, all the guys in there.

"We got to do a great job with that and establishing the run. That's gonna be an important part, too, to open up the pass."

Moore remains the key, though.

"He knows he's going to get the ball, the plays for him. I feel like we call a play for DJ, y'all (reporters) say we're not getting the ball to DJ enough and then, of course Moon, and next it's going to be Chase and then it's going to be Cole.

"We have a lot of playmakers on offense. Everybody's not going to be able to get 15 targets a game. We've got to spread the love around. In certain instances where they do put two people on DJ, then Moon, Chase or Cole might get it or something like that. Just spreading the ball out of course, wanted to get the ball into our playmakers' hands when the opportunity's available."

With an 0-3 record and the 31st ranked passing attack in the league, the Bears have too many receivers?

If so, Fields really is going through adversity.