Title: Bears Quarterback Justin Fields Urged to Be More Aggressive Following Week 1 Loss
Chicago Bears’ rookie quarterback, Justin Fields, has admitted to being too conservative during his team’s Week 1 loss against the Packers. Fields takes full responsibility for missed opportunities to throw deep and instead opting for checkdowns or running the ball himself. As a result, he is now being urged to be more aggressive on the field.
Fields’ performance in the game was among the least aggressive of any Week 1 quarterback and one of the worst overall. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Fields threw into tight coverage less frequently than any other quarterback and had the second shortest intended air yards in the NFL.
During the game, Fields targeted DJ Moore and Chase Claypool, but unfortunately, failed to connect with them, missing golden opportunities for deep passes. Fields acknowledges the need to trust his receiving options and give them more chances to make big plays down the field.
Head coach Matt Eberflus emphasizes the importance of taking shots down the field and letting it ride on 50-50 balls. The team believes that Fields has the ability to make those throws, but needs to be more willing to take calculated risks.
Statistics from last year show that Fields’ accuracy on intermediate throws was above league average while his throws of 20-plus yards were below average. This indicates the need for improvement in his decision-making and throwing accuracy when attempting longer throws.
It was observed that Fields resorted to checkdowns during the game as a result of the Packers’ zone defense, which limited one-on-one matchups for his receivers. Fields acknowledges that most defenses will play him in a similar manner, focusing on protecting against deep plays.
Looking forward, Fields aims to take calculated shots and make big plays downfield while working on improving his decision-making and throwing accuracy. The coaching staff and his teammates have expressed their confidence in him, stating that with time and experience, he will develop into a more aggressive and successful quarterback.
As the Bears prepare for their upcoming games, all eyes will be on Fields to see if he can fulfill the expectations and deliver more aggressive and impactful performances on the field.
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