LAKE FOREST (Ill.) — As spring practices were coming to an end, the quarterback took over. Justin Fields A realistic assessment of him and the Chicago Bears offense.
“Uh, no. I’m not ready for the season to start,” Fields said. “I’m the type of guy that would like to know I’m prepared. So, right now, I’m just being honest, we’re not ready to play a game right now.”
Eighty-nine days later, the second-year quarterback will be on the field for the Bears’ regular-season home opener against the San Francisco 49ers.
Fields’ valuation of the Bears is true for most NFL teams at this time of year. The offseason is expected to see Fields’ connection with his pass-catchers.
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Since the Bears revamped their system after the 2021 season, many things have happened to the 23-year-old. He’s been given a new playcaller and scheme, a host of new teammates and has honed new throwing and footwork mechanics. With a year of professional experience, Fields feels more at ease now. Fields still expects that there will be mistakes, but he believes in the potential of his game.
“Of course,” Fields said. “With the concepts that we have, with the players we have, I think everybody’s catching on pretty quick. Like I said, they’re throwing a lot at us right now, so, as long as we can manage to do everything right or do most of everything right and not make the same mistake again, I think we’ll be just fine when that time comes around.”
Fields’ enthusiasm was evident during minicamp and organized team activities. Fields’ positive impression on his team has had the Bears excited about their growth and how it will translate at training camp next month.
HIS FIELD WAS ENTRIED IN BY FIELDS Second offseason with a new mindset. He’s the unquestioned starter in Chicago, no longer having to battle with others for QB1 status, which allowed him to show his leadership in ways he might not have as a rookie.
“He is learning, but while he’s learning, he’s upset with mistakes,” tight end Ryan Griffin said. “He’s not OK with guys in the wrong place. He’ll tell you that, and that’s what you need in the leader of this offseason. A guy might make a great example of this. [mental error], ‘It’s OK, we’ll move on.’ No, we get it corrected right there, and it starts with No. 1.”
Fields is a demanding leader who demands the best from his teammates and also expects the best of himself. Chicago’s three-day mandatory minicamp was a microcosm of what offseason practices have looked like for the Bears offense. On Day 1, Fields had three straight unsuccessful plays during the team portion — a pick-six, a batted pass and an incompletion — but came back the next day and strung together several chunk plays during Chicago’s move-the-ball period. Fields performed well in red zone and he did throw interception on the final day.
Fields is currently processing a lot of information from Luke Getsy, the offensive coordinator. Fields is now learning how to make his mistakes quickly, as he did when he attempted to throw deep balls through windy conditions.
“There was a day where it was windy as heck And he was upset because the wind was blowing like 30 miles an hour in,” tight end Cole Kmet said. “He’s out there like launching balls after practice. It’s definitely something that he works on, and you can see it.”
The Bears turned over a bulk of last year’s roster and brought in a handful of weapons for Fields, including receivers Byron Pringle, Velus Jones Jr. and Equanimeous St. Brown Along with two tight ends, and fifth-round running back Trestan Ebner.
Every player has to learn a new system. However, Fields’ rookie season teammates can best attest how much Fields has improved his leadership skills while learning.
“You just feel him in the huddle,” Kmet said. “He’s not just repeating the play, he’s telling you the play, and there’s a difference in that. This gives me confidence out on the field. He is talking to every player. It’s not just a repeat-a-play, he’s telling us a play, which is a difference.”
And it’s not just apparent to those who are catching passes.
“He has a commanding leadership on the field, a legit field general,” defensive tackle Justin Jones said. “He gets guys wound up, gets guys going.”
WIDEOUT AND FIELDS Darnell MooneyThe ‘Chicago Bears’ were the top receiving team last season, with 1,055 yards and four touchdowns. They have been working tirelessly to improve their connection.
It was not a big play or practice that suddenly made everything work. Mooney observed that things felt different on a single day in spring.
“We were in the Walter Payton Center just throwing the ball around and it just felt like every ball that we were throwing and catching, it was just like connecting,” the third-year receiver said. “It wasn’t too much to it. We were doing our own thing out there. It felt good, it felt natural.”
Mooney has probably been more attentive to the progress Fields has made in this offseason than anyone else. Mooney and Fields have been pushing each other in the weightroom, competing for the best day off. Chicago’s offense is predicated on rhythm and timing, so Fields altering his footwork to hit receivers in stride will correlate directly to Mooney’s success.
Mooney’s extra time with Fields has helped to shine a spotlight on Fields’ work ethic. Mooney believes Fields has the ability to help the offense move from a work-in-progress to a well-oiled unit. He also believes Fields can make a leap in Year 2.
“He wants to take over the league,” Mooney said. “He’s already Justin Fields. He wants to be the greatest quarterback in the league. He’s taken the stride to be there. He is my success, and I have unbelievable faith in him.” So, as long as he’s doing good, I’m doing good, we’re all doing good.”