How Justin Fields looked vs. Seahawks: Highlights & more to know from Bears QB’s lone series

Abraham Smith

One of the most polarizing figures in the NFL heading into this season is Justin Fields. The Bears quarterback is entering his second season on his second offensive system, this time under the baton of new coach Matt Eberflus. There are questions as to whether Fields has enough around him.

With Allen Robinson joining the Rams, the receiving corps now consists of Darnell Mooney, Byron Pringle and Velus Jones Jr. at the helm. He has four new offensive linemen, and Chicago is clearly hoping to implement a system that emphasizes his athleticism when running the ball.

While the preseason offers a limited glimpse of what that will look like — NFL coaches use simplified playbooks during the preseason — it can give observers a broad view.

In Week 2 against the Seahawks, Fields hit a drive. He completed 5 of 7 passes for 39 yards and led Chicago to a field goal.

The Sporting News takes a quick look at the pros and cons of this ride.

MORE: Best-case scenarios for Bears, Justin Fields in 2022

The good

On the positive side, Fields looked spot on throwing the ball. Getting five out of seven, especially under duress, is something to write home about.

More importantly, the Bears have added creases to their offense that should encourage Chicago fans looking to see something different.

A quick rollout can do so much to open an offensive. In the above game, Fields rolls against his body, but he keeps his eyes up. The fact that he has room to run but Cole sees Kmet and stops, squares and makes an accurate throw is a great sign for Chicago.

Fields rolled out just 19 times in 2021, but he had the highest passer rating in the NFL on those rollouts, at 138.5, according to USA Today. That alone should get Bears fans excited for this season.

MORE: Five reasons to be high on Justin Fields in training camp

The bad

The stats are good and Fields completed a high percentage of his passes. But the “how” counts.

Fields was regularly blown up in the backfield, and it wasn’t just his offensive line that led to this.

As his tackles were shoved behind him to form his pocket, Fields immediately began seeing ghosts and wanted to pocket. That’s ominous, especially with a receiving corps that aren’t expected to be elite when it comes to being separated outside of Pringle.

At the end of the drive, Fields hung up some sort of hospital pass for Khalil Herbert in third and fourth, resulting in a loss. In the end, the Bears scored a field goal.

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The final result

There’s nothing definitive to pull from a preseason series, but Fields is still good at what he’s known to be good at and has yet to work on what was thought to need work.

While Fields excels at rollouts and pocket-moving plays, the Bears’ offensive line and Fields’ occasional indecisiveness in the pocket can cause problems for him.

Chicago’s offensive line is almost completely new. It will take time for the unit to be coherent with each other and with Fields.

The signs are encouraging, but the bears are still a work in progress. Patience will be the key. Fans will have to wait until Week 1 to find out what the Bears really have in Fields under the new regime.

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