Ryan Fitzpatrick says Bears QB Justin Fields isn't a pocket passer
Prime Video analyst and former NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick shared his thoughts on the Chicago Bears quarterback after the teams' 12-7 loss to the Washington Commanders on Thursday.
He said second-year QB Justin Fields isn't a pocket passer.
"Justin Fields needs to look in the mirror and say, 'What am I?'" Fitzpatrick said on the post game show. "You are not Peyton Manning. You're not Patrick Mahomes. You're not a pocket passer. You are a Cam-Newton type. You are a guy who is an elite runner of the football."
Yes, Fields is an elite runner. That was on display in this loss to the Commanders, including a 39-yard run that set the Bears up on the 5-yard line at the end of the game. But just because Fields can run the ball doesn't mean he necessarily wants to.
It's been bred out of circumstance because Fields lacks protection up front and dependable receivers to target.
Fields rarely has a clean pocket. He's been sacked 23 times through six games and is among the most pressured quarterbacks this season. And in Thursday's loss, the offensive line allowed 18 pressures on 45 pass block reps, according to Pro Football Focus. That's a pressure rate of 40%.
The quarterback's pocket passing hasn't been evident in Chicago, given the shortcomings on offense. But when Fields has had a clean pocket, he completed nearly 70% of his passes and averaged 8.7 yards per attempt.
But because Fields isn't an elite quarterback after 16 starts, does that means he isn't a pocket passer?
According to Fitzpatrick the fact that he is in his second season "doesn't matter."
While Fields has plenty to clean up, including his footwork and decision making, he hasn't started an entire season of games. He's also learning his second offense in as many seasons.
A question for Fitzpatrick: How is Fields supposed to succeed as a pocket passer in these circumstances? Better yet, who would succeed?