by Bears quarterback Justin Fields led the team to a better record (2–2) than his rookie season last year, but the quarterback struggled with his passing game.
The second-year running back ranks last in the NFL in completions (34), attempts (67), passer rating (58.7) and interception percentage (6). By comparison, Fields’ quarterback opponent this weekend, Kirk Cousins of the Vikings, had 25 completions just last week.
Despite his early struggles, Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy apparently isn’t worried about the team’s quarterback.
“I don’t think he’s had a tough month,” Getsy said Thursday, via ESPN. “I think he’s getting better every week. I think it’s growing tremendously. And you know, it’s not easy. We play good football teams and it’s not easy to become the level of quarterback that he wants to be and I know it can be done.
“The important thing is to stay focused, look at that progress or process and make sure we get better every week and I think we’re in that phase.”
Last week’s 20–12 loss to the Giants led to Fields’ best stat thus far this season. He completed 11 of 22 passes for 174 yards, all of which were season highs for the quarterback. However, he threw zero touchdowns and his completion percentage finished at 50%.
The Bears offense as a whole, not just Fields, is struggling statistically this season. The team ranks last in the NFL in total passing yards and passing yards per game. Additionally, they have the fewest first downs gained by passing (17) and are tied for the fewest touchdown passes (2).
Getsy addressed the team’s offensive issues this season, noting that Fields is not his priority moving forward.
“We have a lot more than just the evaluation of Justin Fields going on right now,” Getsy said. “That’s what everybody wants to evaluate — the quarterback all the time — and I understand that. Everything is fine. This is a process for all 11. There are so many factors that go into what happens around Justin and to sit here and say, “Oh, are we just focusing on this guy being the guy or not?” That’s literally not even on my mind, or I don’t think it’s on anybody’s mind in this building.”
The Bears enter Sunday’s NFC North matchup against the Vikings as 7.5-point underdogs, according to SI sports book.
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