Fields walks back previous criticism of Bears coaches

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields. Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Fields walks back his previous criticism of Bears coaches

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 9/20/23

Within the span of a few fours, Justin Fields went from seemingly throwing the Chicago Bears coaching staff under the bus to scolding reporters for taking his remarks out of context.

Fields, who told reporters early Wednesday morning that he felt coaching was why he’s been robotic and thinking too much, changed his tune by the time practice had ended, stating he wasn’t blaming his coaches for his shortcomings.

"You guys' jobs are to get clicks,” Fields said, via WGN TV’s Kaitlyn Sharkey. “So, it's like, take my quote out of context and we can just say that, if you paint the picture on the inside out, y'all are trying to split us up. I'm not blaming anything on the coaches, I'm never going to blame anything on the coaches. I'm never going to blame anything on my teammates.”

For reference, Fields’ earlier comments are below.

Justin Fields didn’t hold back.

Must watch. I love it. pic.twitter.com/bLMrdGXpKP
— Dave (@dave_bfr) September 20, 2023

Bears head coach Matt Eberflus told reporters after Fields spoke that his and the coaching staff’s goal is to allow Fields to play more freely and rely more on his instincts without having to overanalyze everything.

Through two games, Fields has thrown for 427 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions while completing 60.6% of his passes and rushing for 62 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries.

The 24-year-old QB was sacked six times and threw two interceptions in Sunday’s 27-17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — a game which Fields has taken a lot of criticism for after missing several open receivers and trying to scramble instead of letting plays develop.

“Whatever happens in the game, I will take all the blame,” Fields added. “I don't care if it's a dropped pass, it should have been a (better) pass. Put it on me. Never will you hear anything come out of my mouth to where I will blame it on somebody else in this organization, my teammates; never will you hear that. I just want to clear that up. Just know that I need to play better — that's it, point blank. That's what I should have said in the first place.”

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