Quarterback Justin Fields will get one more opportunity under the lights in the preseason to add polish to the Chicago Bears offense. Tribune Bears writers Dan Wiederer and Colleen Kane break things down in this edition of “Real Talk.”
Quarterback Justin Fields speaks during a news conference at Chicago Bears training camp, Aug. 3, 2022, at Halas Hall
This group needs to build much more momentum and confidence before Week 1. Fields needs to continue developing his timing and pocket presence. The offensive line needs more work to continue jelling. The best way to get those things is with game action against an unfamiliar defense — even with the obvious injury risks involved.
But the fact that it’s a preseason game is likely to make it even more anxiety-inducing for fans every time Fields takes a hit.Listen, I understand the worry. I also understand the urgency at Halas Hall for the offense to find a rhythm that gives the coaching staff a little more relaxation and maybe allows them to get a few extra winks of shut-eye before that Sept. 11 season opener against the San Francisco 49ers.
Coordinator Luke Getsy and quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko push Fields to clean up his footwork and gain an increased understanding of the timing of each play. They have encouraged him to understand his gifts as a runner and Getsy continues utilizing concepts that will help get Fields on the move. But it certainly wouldn’t hurt to lead a touchdown drive after the first-team offense punted on their three drives against the Chiefs and ended with a field goal on their only series against the Seahawks.Terrific point. I wasn’t a math major but a 0.75 points per possession average — which is what the Fields-led offense has produced with limited preseason work — isn’t going to cut it for a starting quarterback at any level.
So this game Saturday night also will be about getting more work for left tackle Braxton Jones, the fifth-round pick making the massive jump from FCS Southern Utah to the NFL, and Teven Jenkins, whose tenure at right guard is 1½ weeks old. The Bears have placed their bets on several young players to protect Fields, so even if it’s not ideal that some are still getting their feet wet Saturday, it’s the decision the team has made.
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