All eyes are on Bears quarterback Justin Fields heading into his second season — and first as Chicago’s undisputed starter. Following a rocky rookie season, the hope is Fields will take a step forward in his development.
But it’s been an offseason of change for Fields. The Bears are learning a new offense under offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, which head coach Matt Eberflus described as “very quarterback friendly.”
Fields will also have a new group of wide receivers — with the exception of Darnell Mooney — and some new faces on the offensive line. That includes center Lucas Patrick, who signed with Chicago earlier this offseason.
Patrick, who first got a glimpse of what Fields could do from the sidelines in Green Bay, has been impressed with what he’s seen from Fields so far this offseason.
“He can get moving pretty quick,” Patrick said. “He’s a fun guy. He’s young, so he likes to have the juice and the energy. He’s got a live arm. I mean, there were a few throws he made today where that ball, it’s like it keeps getting faster in the air.
“He’s soaking everything up. Whether it’s coaches, me, or stuff he’s telling me, it’s really good. [We] couldn’t have a better start to a working relationship.”
Patrick expected to be impressed with Fields given he was the 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft. But Fields has managed to exceed Patrick’s expectations already this offseason.
“I had pretty high expectations,” Patrick said. “You don’t get drafted as high as he does in the National Football League just by kind of having a wet noodle or slow feet. He’s really talented. I thought he was going to be really good, and he is exceeding my expectations.”
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