If Justin Fields nearly breaking Lamar Jackson's record for rushing yards by a quarterback in 2022 had you excited, you'll want to prepare for an even better season in 2023.
Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy met with the media during the team's rookie minicamp and shared a promising update about Fields' offseason development.
“The other thing is, as we evaluated Justin from last year, I think the growth from where everybodyー including yourselvesー like how the way that you viewed the guy and the way the team viewed the guy to where he was at this time last year, to where he is now, I think he’s just light-years ahead of where he was, and I feel like he has a ton more to grow going forward,” Getsy said. “So we’re excited to try to get the best out of him moving forward and keep working toward where we think he can go.”
The Chicago Bears have gone all-in on Fields this offseason. They've provided him with a new go-to receiver (DJ Moore), blue-chip offensive tackle (Darnell Wright), top-notch right guard (Nate Davis), and more (Tyler Scott, D'Onta Foreman, Robert Tonyan). General manager Ryan Poles' moves prove his confidence in his young passer, which is a sentiment shared by Getsy.
“You’re just talking purely completions, and you’re talking purely yards, right?” Getsy said. “So the yards that he ran for, a third of those came off of pass plays where he scrambled that he decided to run. That’s an element that we’re fortunate to have with him in that position. Then it goes to everything, right? Getting the team around him better, and us all being together for another year and the continuity that we have and the communication that he and I have."
The Bears selected Justin Fields in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft after the Ohio State star slid within striking distance for former GM Ryan Pace to make aggressive first-round trade to secure his rights. It was a fantastic parting gift from Pace, who was fired at the end of the 2021 season.
As Fields prepares for his third year in the league and his first with the same coaching staff and a quality supporting cast, there's no telling how high his ceiling is.
"I think anytime you can be together with somebody and keep that consistency," Getsy said, "there’s going to be growth. He has a lot more growth ahead of him, and we’re excited to tap into that.”