After an offseason filled with discussion about an improved passing game, Bears quarterback Justin Fields was ultra conservative in a blowout loss to the Packers in Week 1.
Fields attempted just three passes that went longer than 10 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown to receiver Darnell Mooney. Adding to that, Fields’ newest weapon DJ Moore was targeted just twice — on the same drive, both receptions — and ignored the rest of the game.
In hindsight, Fields believes he should’ve taken more deep shots rather than simply checking it down against the Packers.
“I felt like I was a little bit too conservative at times during the game,” he said Wednesday. “Definitely with guys like [receivers] DJ [Moore] and Chase [Claypool] on the outside, if we do have one-on-one on the outside, potentially throwing it up and seeing what happens. With them, they’re great playmakers and they can most likely come up with a 50-50 ball. Definitely want to give them more chances deep down the field.”
While offensive coordinator Luke Getsy has been called out for his poor showing — and rightfully so — Fields took the blame upon himself explaining he needed to trust his receivers when making his reads downfield.
Getsy will need to get creative this week with his game plan, as Todd Bowles and the Bucs defense will blitz Fields early and often to pressure him into the kind of mistakes he made against Green Bay, which included a fumble and pick-six.
Look for Fields to attack down the field — with weapons like Moore and Mooney — when he faces a talented Tampa Bay defense.