Number of Justin Fields Runs Unimportant

One of the most silly ideas to come out of Bears off-season practices on offense was how Justin Fields needed to keep from running the ball.

It's true the Bears want to see him running less because they want to be able to pass more and get more out of the passing game, which would automatically reduce the number of times he's required to scramble.

They also might expect to cut down the number of planned running plays by Fields because the idea is their line will be more proficient in Year 2 blocking the wide zone scheme and the backs will be able to gain more running behind it. As a result, they'd need his carries less.

None of that is a planned attempt to tell Fields to run less. It's just an attempt to let playmakers besides Fields handle the ball and make their offense that much more dangerous and predictable.

No one can doubt letting Fields run less will give him a better chance to stay healthy, but an injury can occur at any time and even if he ran only 10 times in the season there is no guarantee he'd emerge healthy from all 10 runs. The odds sure look better to stay healthy when he carries it less, but it's not guaranteed.

Nothing is guaranteed in the NFL.

Fields running more might not be as dangerous for his health if he is more in control when running. If he doesn't feel the need for every single inch gained simply to prolong a drive on third down and he isn't diving and lunging and taking hits at the goal line, he can carry more without risking more.

What the Bears would really like is to become less dependent on Fields running as more aspects of their offense open up, and then for his runs to be more effective at helping produce points.

There is every reason to think Fields will be called upon to run it close to the same number of times in 2023 as in 2022 when he had 160 carries.

The Lack of Protection

This can burn the Bears and force Fields to run more two different ways.

They've set their offensive line well in advance and this can only help. Keeping them healthy is an obvious need. Offensive line coach Chris Morgan pointed out he had year where his line stayed together starting the full year and it was in Atlanta when they went to the Super Bowl. However, health is pure luck.

"Hopefully it won't be the moving chairs like we had last year, which is always difficult," Eberflus said. "You'd like to have some continuity in there and hopefully we can get that done."

What the Bears need to know is they have the best possible pass blockers to keep Fields from being hit repeatedly like last season when he was sacked 55 times.

The mix they've thrown together includes free agent right guard Nate Davis, who never had a Pro Football Focus pass blocking grade higher than 52.6 until last year when he had a strong season as a pass blocker and run blocker. Davis allowed 13 sacks, 19 quarterback hits and 85 pressures in his first three seasons, according to PFF.

They have a rookie right tackle in Darnell Wright a second-year left tackle who was far better as a run blocker than pass blocker in Braxton Jones. And Teven Jenkins was also a better run blocker than pass blocker. He was the third-best NFL guard overall in grades by PFF but 40th as a pass blocker, one spot behind Davis. And 39th was their new center and former guard Cody Whitehair.

The Bears want to be strong run blockers for the wide zone scheme but pass blocking can't be ignored on the offensive line.

The other potential problem is whether they have a running back who can pass-block.

Khalil Herbert wasn't terrible at it in the past. Last year he was the 33rd-ranked PFF running back but 29th best pass blocker as a back. The thing is Herbert has only done it on 70 downs. David Montgomery had been relied upon to do it 282 times in four seasons. Herbert is an old pro at it compared to Bears teammate D'Onta Foreman. In his five seasons played, Foreman has had to pass-block 50 total times. His teams got him off the field when they were passing.

So it's little wonder there is talk of getting all-around back Roschon Johnson up to speed in order to contribute as soon as possible. He did play in all aspects at Texas, although he was a backup.

Eberflus was asked about the backs' pass blocking during minicamp.

"Hard to see right now, right?" he said. "When we get the pads on and we get the one-on-ones, we'll see if guys are stout enough and have a good enough anchor to achieve that."

That might be true of the offensive line, as well. They didn't really have pass rushers to contend with physically in a true nature during OTAs or minicamp.

Add the backs' pass-blocking situation to the offensive line's individual weakness in this area and it's unlikely they'll be able to count pass-blocking as a team strength.

The Bears were the league's best running team last year. Good defenses can stop the run.

If they stop the Bears from running and force them to pass, Fields better remember how to scramble based on the pass-blocking scenario building.

Receiver Offseason Absence

The Bears can discount the importance of the missed off-season passing opportunities for Fields with Chase Claypool and Darnell Mooney, but no matter which way you look at it this prevents the connection from building or sharpening.

Sure, they'll have plenty of time to work at it in training camp, but they can't make up for the time lost in OTAs and minicamp. It's all in the past now. They'd have to run twice the number of reps in training camp to make up for what was lost.

Especially with Claypool, it's a factor.

"Chase has been out, what, the past two weeks?" Fields said at minicamp.

Actually, it was three. But who's counting?

"So, I feel like when Chase was practicing with us, we did get that down a little bit," Fields said.

It was a very little bit.

Without the big three all well-versed and sharp in the attack, the chances become greater Fields will have downs where no one is open. Time to run.

Luke Getsy Impact

Getsy's proclamation should be enough to convince anyone.

"I by no means will make that guy robotic," he said of Fields. "I don't believe in doing that with any player. "But there's a way to refine it all and improve our decision-making and trusting our timing and rhythm and we'll take it from there."

The idea is not to take away from his natural insticts but to improve his decision-making. They'd like Fields to refine his running attempts by sliding more and avoiding big hits. No one expects him to become a pocket passer.

"I think the running part of it, most of that is a natural thing once you're in the moment," Getsy said. "But decision-making, we're working on every single day. Timing and rhythm we're working on every single day. And lastly, the situation that you're in. Putting that all together, you're just increasing the football IQ so you know better when to take those opportunities and when not to, because there are plenty of times on film that he shouldn't do it, and even though it worked out for us, in the long run, there's a better decision."

Beyond Getsy's desire to keep Fields operating naturally, there is his own impact on the offense. He showed last year he can take the strongest aspect of his quarterback and play to that strength. He designed the offense to work with a running QB like Fields.

Getsy's not just going to trash the attack that worked last year.

"He's just smart," said tight end Robert Tonyan Jr., who played in this offense in Green Bay and knows Getsy well. "He's awesome. He's really in there grinding to win games and make us better."

Offensive Efficiency

A better offensive line and better passing doesn't necessarily mean less chances for Fields to run. If the offense is more effective, there are more first downs, more plays to be run and more chances Fields could run.

Want an example? There's a perfect one in the NFC and entirely applicable.

Jalen Hurts carried 139 times in 2021 when the Eagles went 9-8, including a playoff loss.

In 2022 they went out and acquired A.J. Brown and provided Hurts with a more well-rounded receiving corps, much like the Bears hope they've done with both Moore and Claypool and with Robert Tonyan Jr. added to the passing attack. Hurts did throw it 28 more times for the same number of 15 games played. However, Hurts also ran it 26 more times than he did in 2021 for 165 carries. That's five more than Fields had last year.

More first downs, more possessions, more plays and more chances for Hurts to carry the ball is what it amounted to, and Fields could find it much the same way. The Bears were 30th in total number of offensive plays last year with 993. Imagine a team with more first downs, more plays and obviously then more Fields rushing opportunities as well as passing opportunities.

At least the Bears would love for it to work the same way it did for the Eagles.

Twitter: BearDigest@BearsOnMaven

Add us as a preferred source on Google