LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- When the Bears officially introduced new general manager Ryan Poles and coach Matt Eberflus on Monday at Halas Hall, quarterback Justin Fields was present.
The 22-year-old Fields is now set to work with his second front office and coaching staff in as many years. He also understands the difference between his arrival to the organization late last April to present day. Unlike back then, Fields now is the unquestioned starting quarterback for Chicago and the most important player moving into the 2022 season.
"I'm willing to do whatever to win,” Fields said. “I'm willing to put however much work there needs to be to win.”
To help in that quest, the Bears need to build around Fields. That’s Poles’ challenge in leading the Bears’ football operations forward. High on his to-do list is to evaluate the team’s personnel on offense and recognize what Fields needs to be successful.
As for the defensive-minded Eberflus, hiring Packers quarterbacks coach Luke Getsy as the Bears’ new offensive coordinator over the weekend proved to be a pivotal step just days after Eberflus himself joined the organization. Eberflus was impressed with Getsy’s work as Mississippi State’s offensive coordinator in 2018 as well as the concepts he brought as the Packers’ quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator for the past few years.
The Bears haven’t yet begun forming their offense, but Eberflus stressed there will be a key point of emphasis: Fields.
“That’s building the offense around him and his strengths,” Eberflus said. “What does that mean and what does that look like? Well, I don’t know yet. We have to look at him, evaluate him, see where he is, where his skill set is and then see his game. How does he see the game? How fast does he process? How fast does he do things? And then how can we stretch him as we go?
“We’re building the offense around the quarterback, and that’s what you do. You start with the running game and build the pass concepts off what he can do well. Let’s do that, and then let’s grow and grow and grow.
“You got to be creative on offense. You just do."
The No. 11 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Fields struggled for much of his rookie season under former coach Matt Nagy. Fields completed 58.9% of his passes for 1,870 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 12 games. His 26.5 QBR was dead last of the 31 qualifying quarterbacks in the NFL.
"I saw an athletic quarterback that's a really good deep ball thrower," Eberflus said on the Laurence Holmes Show when asked what he saw while watching tape on Fields. "And he's got a lot of potential ahead of him."
Eberflus’ background being solely on the defensive side of the ball didn’t deter Poles from hiring him. Poles was drawn to Eberflus’ leadership qualities and his plan for rebuilding the Bears’ defense. Of course, that also made the hiring of Getsy crucial as well.
Upon meeting Eberflus, Fields was drawn to his leadership style.
“He knows what he wants to do,” Fields said. “He has a plan set in stone. I'm really ready to lead with him."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.