(670 The Score) As Justin Fields moves towards his second season as the Bears’ starting quarterback, there’s skepticism that he can make a significant leap in 2022. That’s because of the supporting cast he has in Chicago, one that lacks star power.
NBC Sports NFL reporter Mike Florio believes the Bears are putting a lot on Fields by not giving him an offense loaded with weapons, as he told the Mully & Haugh Show on Tuesday morning.
“Can he overcome the reality that the Bears have not loaded the cannon around him,” Florio said. “You look at what the Jaguars have done to try to make things better for Trevor Lawrence in Year 2, all the money they’ve spent in free agency. And I know they’re in a different situation than the Bears. But you really have a feeling that the Jaguars are taking full advantage of Trevor Lawrence operating on a rookie contract for at least two more years and spending around him and try to give him a fair chance to be the best quarterback he can be. In Chicago, it just has that feel – and we’ve talked about this before – of a one-man band.
“Can Justin Fields overcome that? I mean, maybe he can. Maybe he can play like Deshaun Watson did in Houston when Watson thrived as really the only great player the team had. But it puts a lot of pressure on Justin Fields in his second NFL season to not have the help around him to make him the best player he can be.”
The No. 11 overall pick in 2021, Fields completed 58.9% of his passes last season for 1,870 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions over 12 games and 10 starts. The Bears finished the season 5-12.
The Bears allowed veteran receiver Allen Robinson (Rams) and Jimmy Graham to depart in free agency. Chicago signed receivers Byron Pringle and Equanimeous St. Brown in free agency. Veteran center Lucas Patrick was also added as a key starter to the offensive line.
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