Justin Fields says ‘F-it,’ he’s going back to playing QB his way

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields isn’t having a good start to the 2023 NFL season. The Bears are 0-2, and his ineffectiveness as a passer has been circled as a big reason why.

Fields has completed 60.6% of his passes for 427 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions and has only 62 rushing yards through two games.

His stat sheet is far from what was expected of the third-year quarterback, who was viewed as a popular bet for MVP this year.

Bears fans have struggled to find an explanation for Fields’ play. Some point fingers at the coaches, while others believe the former Ohio State star can’t read defenses and isn’t an NFL quarterback.

I’m firmly in the camp of blaming offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, who’s trying to make Fields fit his offense rather than tailor his offense to Fields’ strengths. We saw firsthand how bad Getsy’s system was in 2022 before he finally unleashed Fields and allowed him to play his style of football.

And that electric style of play could be coming back to the Bears this week against the Kansas City Chiefs. Fields told reporters Wednesday that he’ll no longer be the stationary pocket passer the coaches have been forcing him to become.

“You know, could be the coaching, I think,” Fields said. “At the end of the day, I can’t be thinking about that when the game comes. I prepare myself throughout the week and then when the game comes, it’s time to play free at that point. Thinking less and playing more.

“I felt like I was playing robotic (against the Buccaneers). My goal this week is to say “F it” and just play football. That’s when I play my best when I am out there playing free. I am going to go out there and be me.”

Social media has been mind-numbing through the first two weeks of the season. The opinions and declarative statements about Justin Fields’ inability to process or play at a high level have missed a critical point: he isn’t playing his game. He’s playing Getsy’s game.

As Fields said Wednesday, his game is what led to him being a first-round pick.

“It’s probably more of a me thing than a coach thing,” he said. “In the grand scheme of things, I have to be the person, the player that’s gotten me up to this point.”

Justin Fields nearly broke the single-season record for rushing yards by a quarterback last season because he’s a player who relies on instincts. He’s an intelligent guy who can read a defense and make the right throw, but he has to do it his way. He has to rely on his instincts, not a set of rules constructed by a coordinator who got the job by riding Aaron Rodgers’ coattails in Green Bay.

Whatever’s gone wrong with the offense so far is on Luke Getsy and Matt Eberflus. Yes, Justin Fields has to play better, but he’s been put in a terrible situation by coaches who are submarining their own season.

We’ll finally get a true evaluation of Fields beginning Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium. This will be his offense now. He’ll operate his way, with his instincts guiding him on every down.

If he fails? There won’t be anyone else to blame but him. If he succeeds, it’ll be further proof that he is the future of this organization and that Luke Getsy needs to be part of its past.

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