LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- In their first six games of the season, the Bears scored a combined 93 points. In their last three contests, they've recorded 94 points.
What appears to be a dramatic transformation recently for the Bears’ offense isn't quite viewed in that light by offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, who sees the strong production as the culmination of months of work.
“There’s no magic potion,” Getsy said Thursday. “This isn’t like 'Space Jam,' you’re drinking Michael Jordan’s special water. This is the work you put in back in April, all the way through now. The guys are just doing a really good job of buying into our philosophy, into our play style, the way we want to play a game and being the most physical football team on the field. So, we’ll stay committed to that.”
The Bears have made significant strides while being led by second-year quarterback Justin Fields, who was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week following a record-setting performance in Chicago's 35-32 loss to Miami on Sunday. Fields rushed for 178 yards, the most by a quarterback in a regular-season game in NFL history. He was also efficient in the passing game, going 17-of-28 for 123 yards and three touchdowns.
Fields, Getsy and the Bears have established a run-based offensive identity. The Bears rank first in the league with 195.4 rushing yards per game and are on pace to rush for the most yards as a team in a single season in NFL history, albeit by surpassing a 16-game record in a 17-game campaign.
The 23-year-old Fields has shown flashes of the spectacular, like on his 61-yard touchdown run Sunday. While he's capable of making those highlight-reel plays, he believes the key for himself is to stay within the flow of Getsy’s system rather than pressing to make a play.
“Just take what the defense gives you, play every play out,” Fields said. “Situationally, what's the down and distance? What do we need to accomplish on this play? Of course, if there is a big play there, then take it.
“Just keep developing, keep growing.”
Getsy believes that Fields’ progress in his system has been building to this point. During the Bears’ offensive struggles earlier this season, Getsy was steadfast in his belief that Fields was on the right track with his development.
For Getsy, the last three games of high-powered production aren’t what best represents the growth for Fields and this offense. He insists it’s the work that has been put in to this point.
“It’s the way we go to work every single day and get better every single day,” Getsy said. “So, that’s it. Just because the stats say one thing, you have to avoid that. When you’re in the phase that we’re in, we’re trying to grow and get better every day.
"It’s natural. The way he works, the mindset he has, the competitor he is, he’s just gotten more comfortable. (But) we got a long way to go."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
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