Do we as a fan base know 100% for sure no one in the entire Bears organization has never sat down with JF to go over film, work on reads, work on progressions, work on footwork, work on release? Justin said publicly that Getsy and him went over the playbook to remove plays he did not like, he wanted the playbook smaller so he didn’t have to think and he could just play free.
I read this all the time and hear the talking heads say the org failed him… what am I missing that the coaches are not doing? I cannot imagine they’re not working with him. Is the thought he just hangs out by himself every practice and no one helps him or coaches him. Or is it simply that Getsy should call designed Qb run, roll out, move the pocket, and no more than 2 read throws? He is a professional qb and should be able to run a competent offense. Which team said they knew exactly what the bears would run… is that on Getsy or is that on Fields not being able to run a full offense. It was Fields that asked for less…
Genuinely curious for those that blame coaches for JF1 lack of success.
This is a great question. I think Fields deservedly takes a lot of the blame, but so should the coaches. Obviously I’m just a fan, but here’s my take.
During the off-season the coaches concentrated on improving his weakness (quick game) and it didn’t work. It also doesn’t really raise the ceiling on this offense that much imo. I think with a solid run game (QB and RBs and even WR reverses) this shouldn’t have been a priority. This somewhat comes across as almost an ego play where a coaching staff wants to feel like they are the reason for winning a game. Fields strength imo really could be the intermediate passing game if we focused around it instead.
The plays. So many film reviews analyzing our plays and going “what the fuck is this”. Pointing out the players being confused on what to do. Calling the same EXACT play twice in a row. Calling three straight screens multiple times.
Rhythm. Running the ball on first down too much. Fields unfortunately needs to gain a rhythm to perform in games. Asking him to only throw and read a defense on third downs is too much for him and many other quarterbacks. Additionally there are certain types of plays to help a QB get a rhythm, and they are not quick screens unfortunately for Fields. Rollouts, sprint outs, etc are often mentioned, and it was disappointing how little of them we used early in the season. My non-expert opinion would be to include more 3 step drops from under center. Fields has looked bad at RPOs, but practicing that more would have hopefully led to better results… I’m generally against design QB runs, but combined with an RB option I think could be successful. A final point on rhythm is that Fields himself has said that he was expected to throw with footwork timing, and it’s been too much for him. I don’t know who should get the majority of the blames on this one, but at the very least you should notice this issue in training camp and re-adjust. Fields really lacks chemistry with all of his receivers honestly (even Moore to some level), so something else which could have been emphasized.
Nagy’s biggest problem was the lack of development with individual players. Our oline always just got worse and worse. It was always about “RUN MY BEAUTIFUL PLAYS”. Led to good chemistry though. This offense seems to be opposite. Except maybe with “RUN MY BEAUTIFUL SCREENS” somewhat haha. Good individual player development, but little chemistry. I feel like it’s growing with the oline, but not with the passing game really. It really feels like our quarterbacks don’t understand who they are throwing to sometime.
I think we should draft another quarterback and also get a new OC this offseason. I’m fine keeping Fields on the roster if he wants to compete next year.