LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- Bears quarterback Justin Fields has been sacked 23 times in six games and on a league-worst 16.7% of his dropbacks.
It’s a glaring problem the Bears must address as they look to ignite a more consistent passing attack with the 23-year-old Fields, who has struggled in his second NFL season. But for coach Matt Eberflus, the woes in protecting Fields are about more than just the offensive line.
"We're improving there, but pass protection is everybody,” Eberflus said Tuesday. “It's not only the offensive line, it's the tight ends, it's the running backs, it's the quarterback.
"It's everybody. Pass protection is always going to be all 11 of them, and we will improve on that."
Part of the Bears’ problem in keeping Fields upright has stemmed from the slow development of plays in the pocket.
Fields has averaged 3.03 seconds in time-to-throw this season, according to NFL Next Gen stats. That figure is the second-largest of all qualifying NFL quarterbacks and an indicator of his hesitance to release the football. By comparison, Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady has a league-best 2.42 time-to-throw mark and has been sacked on just 3.5% of his dropbacks, the second-fewest in the NFL.
Seth Walder of ESPN on Tuesday released an enhanced look at how the sacks taken by Fields largely have come as the byproduct of waiting too long with the football.
Only five of Fields’ sacks this season have come under the median sack time of 4.29 seconds, according to Walder.
However, it’s worth pointing out that Fields’ lagging release time can also be blamed on the Bears’ wide receivers and their failure to consistently get open. Top target Darnell Mooney has averaged just 3.1 yards of separation per target this season.
Fields has completed 54.8% of his passes for 869 yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions in six games.
The Bears rank 31st in scoring, 28th in total offense and 32nd in passing yards. Only Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz has been sacked as often (23 times) as Fields this season.
The Bears (2-4) face the Patriots (3-3) on Monday night in New England.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
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