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We've seen the plays he's made outside of the pocket throwing the ball. He knows he can make big plays outside of the pocket. He just needs to know when he can't make those big plays and throw it in the seats. He has gotten better at this.

I mean, results wise, I think the bottom line is exactly what we hope/expect for Fields. 223 passing, 58 rushing (was 60 before kneel downs). That's a 3800/1000 pace over 17 game season. Didn't turn the ball over. Didn't really come all that close. Only took 1 bad sack. Also hanging onto the ball caused a 1st & 20 hole due to holding. Sure he missed some throws, mostly due to lack of touch on the ball, but I think Mooney could have caught 2 of them. IDK what happened on that Kmet play in the redzone, but probably moreso on Fields for missing that one. Obviously, not a perfect game by any stretch. But he did minimize the negative plays. And it doesn't seem like he missed a whole lot of open players like usual or was late throwing to guys breaking open. I feel like Fields has been around enough that we know what he can/can't do well. We know he can throw for 250-300 when protected and the coverage is lackluster. We know if the coverage is good, he can escape even with a spy and make a positive play. It's 100% to me about the lack of negative plays. And I think he did a good job limiting them today. Whether that style of play is good enough to be consistent offensively is another issue altogether.

Eh. In general, slow developing plays are bad ideas in short yardage. And I'd argue Fields is the best runner in space. But I get it, DJ is a very good runner in space as well, but I think you take some of that away by lining him up in the backfield on that play. 1. He's not a RB so that running in space is a little different. He has to run past where the front 7 is a factor which limits his effectiveness from that position simply because it's not what he's used to. 2. He's in the backfield, which is a unique situation that clues the defense in to be alert for him, especially after the earlier TD run. Well, he's going to get it. Maybe they franchise tag him and hope Terrell Smith can take over for him in 2025, but I'd 100% pay him #1 CB money. It won't kill the team with likely a QB on a rookie contract for the life of the guaranteed money.

This is an odd analysis of yesterday, IMO. I thought he had one of his better games from the pocket. I think all 6 of DJs catches were Fields in the pocket. The dig route that he sailed over DJ was also from the pocket just a bad throw. A couple to Mooney were from the pocket. And you mentioned the Kmet one down the sidelines. He still 100% does what you described and he always will. In fact, I argued on Twitter yesterday that the Patrick holding penalty that brought back a big play was his fault for forcing the OL to block for 8+ seconds without throwing the ball. But anticipation isn't the end-all/be-all for a QB. Sure he needs to do more of it (does it some times), but many QBs are "see it before they throw it" guys. Cutler was. Deshaun Watson. I think Mahomes is for everyone but Kelce. The seeing it but not throwing it and not throwing it away when nobody is open are Fields' biggest issue.

This is the Bears first post-bye win since 2013. Fields won starts 2 and 3 of his career and hasn't won B2B starts since. The Bears did win B2B in Weeks 16 & 17 of 2021, but those were started by Foles and Dalton, respectively. -

Maybe Jones is top 10 in pass blocking or pressures allowed or something. I can't remember. But the point wasn't whether you give a horsefeathers or not about PFF or was it me arguing that he's a top 10 OT, in fact, I called him an "at least league average OT". Point is you'd be moving a solid, young player to the bench by taking an OT over drafting another premium position that not only has multiple guys rotate but also positions that stand to lose guys like Mooney, Ngakoue, and Justin Jones who aren't as good at their positions as Braxton Jones is.

I don't see any chance the Bears are drafting Harrison Jr anyway. Their own pick will be lower than 3, so I don't think that will be in range to get him. The Carolina pick will likely be 1 or 2, and they'll either take a QB or trade down further than 3 and won't be in range to get him.

They do need a swing tackle, though Borom has been OK there this year and is under contract for next. I'd really like to run It back with this OL other than C. Braxton is ascending, Jenkins is becoming an elite level OG, Davis has been good when healthy and his mom isn't dying, and Wright is potentially a future stud. My thought is add a FA center, in what looks to be a good FA class. And then add a college G with some C flexibility in the 3rd round or if they are able to pick up a 2nd. Then potentially add a developmental OT in the 4th or 5th to compete with Borom and potentially take over at swing in 2025. I wouldn't complain about a vet here either. Jones-Jenkins-FA-Davis-Wright with Borom, vet FA, rookie G/C, Carter, rookie OT as depth.

He's been a top 10 OT in the league this year according to PFF. I'm all about getting as many elite players as possible, so I wouldn't complain at all about an OT pick, but you have to balance value/opportunity cost. You draft a LT, you're replacing at least a league average OT. You draft another high value position such as WR, DE, DT you're replacing players where the Bears don't have above average production (talking WR2, DE2 so DJ & Sweat don't count) and just as importantly, are adding to a position where you want to rotate guys. You could move Braxton to guard or keep him at swing, but you have 2 solid guards under contract for next year. And while there will be injuries, it's not the best use of resources, IMO.

Yeah with likely 1 or 2 in hand, likely out of range to take the best prospect in the draft (Harrison Jr), and no huge need for one of the top tackles (Alt, Fashanu).....the only benefit for picking 4 or 5 is to trade down, but then you'd also need someone willing to trade up for what is likely a non QB. I think the 8-10 range is prime trade up territory for anyone that wants to take the 3rd QB off the board.

Nah, Kyler's pretty decent. Look like a completely different team with him back in there. They also just got Win #3 and won't win SOS tiebreaker vs. anyone, so NE has to win 2 and Carolina 3 games to get them back in QB1 or 2 range.

Kyler is successful. Three straight 3700 yard seasons to start his career, until last year's injury. He was 29 yards away from 4000 his 2nd year and also had over 800 yards rushing that year. If the last 3 weeks are any indication, he looks to be ready for that type of healthy season again next year, especially if they stay at 3 and get Harrison Jr.

McCarthy- thought he had potential to be QB3 top 10 level pick. Figured Michigan was going to the playoff/Natty potentially and I thought he'd be a big reason why. He's been hurt and has been neutered by the gameplan. They aren't letting him throw the ball much at all recently. IDK if he comes out this year, but Harbaugh's situation complicates things. Penix- as an IU alum, I love the guy's heart. I think a team may talk themselves into thinking he's a Tua type that you put in good structure, with weapons and he can play. When he's accurate he's pinpoint. When he's not, yuck. So many injuries too. Maye- hard not to see Justin Herbert as a comp. Not as great in the pocket, and better on the move than he gets credit for. Drifts into edge pressure a lot. Williams- not hard to see the Mahomes-ness in his game, especially Texas Tech Mahomes, immense upside. Some of the same issues as Fields (holds the ball, can be inconsistent in structure) Nix- agree with your assessment. Gives me Jake Locker vibes. He needs Purdy level support, IMO. Daniels- really good arm and explosive legs, but he's rail thin. Reminds me of a souped-up Teddy Bridgewater. Smaller QBs are holding up better due to rule protecting QBs (Tua, Young), but not out of the pocket where he thrives. Can stand in the pocket, but wants to go deep. IDK about his short, intermediate game timing/anticipation. Beck- staying in school Sanders- staying in school

So, FWIW....I think I have officially put Bobby Slowik over Ben Johnson as my top candidate for the coaching job. Slowik would be the youngest HC in the league. And I know he only has 1 year as an OC, but so did Mike McDaniel. And I don't believe he or McVay called plays before becoming a HC. He also seems to have that boldness and swagger that I love from a playcaller. Houston fans were upset that there were 2 deep passes thrown on B2B plays with 3rd & then 4th and 1 to go. Nevermind the fact that there were short routes there, but I love that type of moxie from an offensive mind. He also has a whole set of play calls ready for a 4th and 20 instead of a 55+ yard FG. Obviously, the key here is that Slowik has demonstrated the ability to work with and develop a rookie QB this year. But he was also QB coach for Brock Purdy's rookie year in SF as well. The Bears are pretty likely to have a rookie QB next year along with a young QB who compares pretty decently to Brock Purdy, skillset wise (Bagent) as a backup plan. It's very fascinating to hear him speak about his young QB and offense in general. I truly think he can be the next from that legendary 2013 Washington Racialslurs team that included Kyle Shanahan, LeFleur, McDaniel, and McVay. And if you're into fun coincidences and are like Ryan Poles and values history with the organization, his dad was a former Bears DC. In fact, Slowik coming from a defensive background as recently as 2018 in SF is another plus for him, IMO. Another big thing is that if the Bears do decide to fire Flus/Getsy and continue with Fields, Slowik's offense is likely the most similar they can find to what Fields is already running. In fact, this is making me re-think the 3rd offense in 4 years thing is a deal breaker for Fields' future. Getsy isn't really from the Shanahan tree, but runs the Shanahan offense by way of LeFleur. But Slowik is directly from the offense. And it appears as the apple didn't fall too far from said tree as Houston and SF are the only teams with 3 players in the top 15 of yards per target. Slowik likes to throw the ball down the field, and likes to do it a lot. That also works into the hands of Justin Fields, who likes to throw down the field and is pretty solid at it. And why they are not the same type of QB, the Fields/Stroud connection from the Ohio St past means that it's possible that some of the lingo/concepts that has led to Stroud's success this year can be used to benefit Justin in the same way. Being that the HC decision will come before the draft and 5th year option decision (May 2 this year), having a coach that can potentially be a perfect match for Fields and a rookie QB gives Slowik the edge for me. Only question is are the Bears bold enough to make the move? Poles is a pretty young GM, so I don't think a young coach would scare him off as much as it would the McCaskeys. But Poles is leaning pretty hard into analytics and Slowik formerly worked for PFF between his Washington and SF days. Seems like the perfect pairing for multiple reasons.

Yeah, was his dad. He supposedly went HAM on the Bears in that 1st meeting in 2019. I seem to remember him holding up a number 2 or 3 or something on the field.

And everyone in the Bears organization hates him now because he's running his mouth. LOL

One thing is that Justin Fields is very well liked in the building and in the lockerroom. The org. raved about him all summer and there's a very real scenario where they see the coaching staff as at fault for the failure of the last 2 years. Especially Getsy, considering the 21 screen passes, which Poles looked visibly annoyed with on Monday Night and the media is making fun of. Throw in the team seemingly playing to not lose games, lack of discipline, the assistant issues this year, and the theory that Flus wasn't Poles' first choice (if at all) and I can see the Bears giving Fields another look next year. But Fields still has huge flaws that he hasn't shown he can correct. And it's a big gamble to assume he can correct them with a 3rd coach in 4 years, while guaranteeing him the 5th year option, while having a UDFA come in and win games in the same offense, and while passing up every QB prospect in the draft at its disposal for the 2nd year in a row.

Yeah, we actually started in 1 league like that when my son was 1st/2nd grade. Teams were (age by Oct 1): 5-8, 9-10, 11-12. The problem with that is some 12 year olds were in 7th grade, so middle school teams were hurting for numbers as any kid that has played in the youth league since 6 is going to want to finish out there vs. Jr high. So we moved to a league that went by grade K-2, 3-4, 5-6. Age league had weight limits for playing at all, so you could theoretically get a big 7 year old forced to play 9-10 which is insane. LOL. The other league only had weight limits for who can play skill positions, think it was like 80lbs for little guys, 100 for middle, 120 for big kids. I always thought that was kinda dumb because you could put a really athletic 150lb kid at safety and have him come downhill and destroy people. Plus, you could run back fumbles and INTs on defense regardless of size.

Bears should 100% tank the Arizona game, FWIW.

Arizona @ PIT, vs SF, @ CHI, @ PHI, vs SEA New England vs LAC, @ PIT, vs KC, @ DEN, @ BUF, vs NYJ Carolina @ TB, @ NO, vs ATL, vs GB, @ JAX, vs TB Arizona has 3 winnable games, but won't be within a 4 point spread of any of those teams. NE could conceivably beat the reeling Chargers or Jets, and also go to Pittsburgh, in a game that may make NE/NYG look like a shootout. Carolina has by far the easiest schedule, but luckily for us, they basically have to win 2 of those games.

I feel like you could write a tell all book from any post 1960s era of the Chicago Bears. Poles isn't running an any more or less dysfunctional organization than the last 15 GMs before him. ****I'm assuming the DC and RB coach firings weren't c-porn related.****

We had weight limits for positions so couldn't put linemen in the backfield, unless they were under weight. But my favorite was: FB dive, FB dive, fake FB dive to QB boot But you'd be amazed how much 9 year olds don't adjust to unbalanced OLs (or maybe not).

The thing about quick WR screens, is that they don't serve the purpose intended by screening vs the blitz. You're supposed to invite the pass rush and use their pressure against them by hitting them in the soft spots created by blitzing defenders who would normally be in a certain area. With the quick screen, the defense can just shift it's all out pressure to getting to the outside instead of to the passer. The Bears were just having the blocking receivers slow release (because they can't block before the catch), and the guy getting the ball just turn to the QB. The better design would be to either fake the WRs running off the line like they are running a route, and/or have the guy getting the ball to release and then come back to the ball. That way, you at least get DBs backing off, because on blitzes, DBs aren't going to be pressing on the line for fear of a quick go behind them.

In youth football, I would call the same play until they stopped it. In the NFL, sometimes you gotta keep calling the play until it works.

Between 2 drives, there were 5 screens called in a row at one point.