Concerns are growing in Chicago with the Bears off to an 0-2 start following Sunday’s 27-17 loss to the Buccaneers.
Most of the worries focus on quarterback Justin Fields, who the Bears selected with the No. 11 pick overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
On Sunday, Fields threw a pair of interceptions, including a pick-six to Tampa Bay linebacker Shaquil Barrett that ruined the Bears’ comeback attempt.
Fields also was sacked six times, raising his season total to 10 in just two games.
As a result, it’s open season on Fields.
Former Bears defensive end Alex Brown, appearing on NBC Sports Chicago, said he’s ready to move on from Field.
“I’m looking at what draft picks you’ve got next year,” Brown said. “Justin has to play better. He has to play better. If not, this is it for him. This has to be the last year for him here. It’s really sad because we were looking forward to this year and him taking that next step.”
Fields has been criticized for his indecision in the pocket and unwillingness to throw the ball in tight windows.
One play in particular, drew the attention of fans on social media.
Fields’ rushing ability that has offset his deficiencies in the pocket in the past has not been evident this season.
After rushing for 1,143 yards last season, he has only 62 yards on the ground through two games.
ESPN’s Ryan Clark agreed that things are trending in the wrong direction for Fields, who has the seventh-worst QB rating through two games (70.7).
“We’re not seeing the athleticism. We’re not seeing him use the strong arm to push the football down the field,” Clark said Monday on “Get Up!”
“This team will have the first pick of the draft again if Justin Fields’ play continues to descend.”
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, while acknowledging Fields is struggling, say the Bears’ problems aren’t all the 24-year-old’s fault.
“I see somebody that’s not being developed. I see somebody that’s not growing,” Smith said Monday on ESPN. “And more importantly, I see apathy kicking in, if not despondency. He knows what kind of situation he’s in. He doesn’t want to be there and I don’t blame him one bit. That’s how I feel. I don’t know that. I haven’t heard that, but I am surmising he does not want to be there.”
Smith called it a “bad, bad situation from the top on down” and singled out underperforming wide receiver Chase Claypool, calling him a “lazy disappointment.”
Claypool, acquired last season in a trade with the Steelers, has just three receptions this year on 10 targets.
“I can’t look at Justin Fields with that talent and say, ‘that’s him.’ That’s not him,” Smith concluded. “If this brother was in another organization, he wouldn’t look like this. This is an indictment against the Chicago Bears organization.”
Things don’t get any easier for Fields and the Bears in Week 3 when they visit the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs on Sunday.