Bears vs. Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes vs. Justin Fields is Week 3’s matchup to watch

I’m still buried in disgust from the Bears’ Week 2 loss. I want to scrub my brain clean of the inept play-calling I witnessed for the second week in a row. While I will always remain loyal to this team, I simultaneously want to scream at them with the intensity of a parent scolding their child with “tough love.”

But the memories of incompetency are not washing away…yet. While the Bears’ front office can tout “learning opportunities” and “it’s only Week 2,” it’s time to start having some difficult conversations about the direction of the Chicago Bears organization, and it’s time for key players to go off script.

Seems like Justin Fields is the first guy up to do that.

The concerns surrounding Fields’ play have been valid. I was very critical of his field awareness on Sunday and how he moved in the pocket. It’s been challenging to point the finger at the appropriate person for something that appears to be shared blame. As uninspiring as the offense has looked, Matt Eberflus and Luke Getsy are not absolved from the trainwreck that unfolded against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next week.

On Sunday, the Bears will travel to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Kansas City Chiefs, guided by one of the best players in the league, Patrick Mahomes. The skillset required to lead a championship-caliber team will be on full display. Expect Fields to be under a microscope. And while it’s not necessarily a fair comparison, fans will be able to see what traits are required to be a contender in the NFL at the game’s most crucial position.

Week 3 Matchup to Watch: Justin Fields vs. Patrick Mahomes

Again, this week’s matchup is different. It’s not an on-field battle between one offensive player and one defensive player. It’s a battle of quarterbacks- one with a proven track record and one searching to prove something.

Mahomes finished Week 2 with a victory over the Jaguars, a 70.7% completion rate, 305 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Fields finished with a 55.2% completion rate, 211 passing yards, one passing touchdown, and two interceptions.

I’m not saying every NFL quarterback needs to be on par with Mahomes’ abilities. But we all know how crucial it is to have someone who can throw the ball downfield to win games.

Mahomes can read the field in a timely manner. Fields struggles with that. Mahomes gets rid of the ball when the pocket collapses. Fields is on pace for taking 85 sacks this season.

Good quarterbacks lead their teams to the playoffs almost every year. Teams need a confident quarterback to be successful in this league. As much as I hate to say it, Week 2 is not too early to start being concerned with Fields and the play-calling. He needs to turn things around, and he has a difficult task ahead at Arrowhead for Week 3.

But there is hope.

Fields acknowledging that he is overthinking, holding the coaching accountable, and publicly stating that he will no longer maneuver “robotically” is actually refreshing to hear.

We’ll see if these words hold true, but it sounds like a change in Fields’ approach to playing quarterback is coming. Despite being the toughest opponent the Bears may face this season, these statements make this matchup interesting, as it may serve as a turning point, regardless of the final score.

It might be a long Sunday for Bears fans, but this quarterback matchup will provide a glimpse of what the organization needs from Fields (or a new quarterback in 2024). Sunday isn’t a lost cause if the Bears lose. It’s about serving as the starting point for Fields to stack progress en route to that next level.

With the Bears’ secondary struggles and injuries, Mahomes can quickly take over this game early on. And while I have him out-dueling Justin Fields, I’m praying Fields can show some flashes of positivity against Kansas City’s defense.

Justin Fields’ connection with DJ Moore improved in Week 2. Chase Claypool’s touchdown may have been the motivation he needed. But the defense is struggling and giving up too many yards. It will be on Fields’ leadership to make this somewhat of a game against a dominant Chiefs team.

Subscribe to The Bears Talk Podcast: APPLE | SPOTIFY | GOOGLE