(670 The Score) Longtime NFL insider and Score contributor Hub Arkush isn’t as sold on Bears second-year quarterback Justin Fields as many are.
Arkush likes what he’s seen from Fields in terms of leadership, intangibles and raw talent, but he doesn’t believe Fields has showcased much with his passing ability yet. While noting that Fields lacks talent around him, Arkush believes Fields need to show more decisiveness and that he has much to learn.
“I’m impressed by the young man,” Arkush said. “He’s an impressive kid. I like a lot of things about him, but the caution I offered a week or two ago, I’m even more concerned about now. This young man has got a long way to go. I heard you guys talk a little while ago and I don’t think you’ve said they’ve got their quarterback, but there’s this feeling that maybe they do. I’m not sure of that at all. He’s not even an average passer yet. He may be the best runner in the league. If not, he’s certainly one of the best runners, and that is a great thing to have. He has shown tremendous leadership and toughness.
I think he’s got the arm strength. What he doesn’t have is the knowledge of the position. He’s not seeing things as well as the good ones do. And it’s really an interesting situation right now, because they may still end up with the first pick (in the NFL Draft). It sounds like the worst is going to be the second pick. There is no guarantee that they’ve got their quarterback of the future. They’ve got a kid that’s worth working with, and I can say a lot of good things about him and nothing negative about him, but let’s be honest about where he’s at right now. And he is nowhere near a sure thing at quarterback, and I’m sure that is very interesting for the Bears people right now and what to decide.
“What people should be watching is how he throws the football and what kind of passer he is and what kinds of decisions he’s making. And that has been going backward the last three or four weeks – not going backward, let’s say it’s stood still the last three or four weeks.”
Fields, 23, has thrown for 2,242 yards, 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 15 games. He has an 85.2 quarterback rating, which ranks 26th in the NFL. He has a 53.9 QBR, which ranks 17th in the league.
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