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Wild QB comparison spotlights shortcomings of Justin Fields

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

Wild Justin Fields-C.J. Stroud comparison spotlights major shortcomings of Bears QB

By Vinny Somma | Last updated 9/19/23

The panic meter on Justin Fields' viability as a starting quarterback in the NFL is hitting extreme heights. On Sunday, the former No. 11 overall pick tossed a pair of interceptions, including a pick-six to Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Shaquil Barrett, spoiling any opportunity of a Chicago Bears comeback. Fields was rattled in the pocket all afternoon, completing just 55.2% of his passes while being sacked six times.

As Fields struggled to stay upright in Week 2, his former Ohio State teammate, Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, was lighting up the Indianapolis Colts secondary to the tune of 384 passing yards.

The performance marked the first 300-yard game of Stroud's career — just two games into his Houston tenure. As for Fields, the Bears signal-caller still has yet to eclipse the 300-yard passing mark in his 27-game career as a starter.

#Texans rookie 2nd overall pick, QB C.J. Stroud, had his first 300-game on Sunday.

That's already more than his former Ohio State teammate, Justin Fields has in the NFL

Stroud - 2 Career Starts
Fields - 27 Career Starts.

(h/t @ShanePHallam) https://t.co/6WJbjJW6Ep pic.twitter.com/HFlcBKzQmk
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 18, 2023

To be fair to Fields, Stroud has always been considered the more polished pocket passer of the two. The latter owns two of the top three all-time single-season passing yardage campaigns in Ohio State history.

Where Fields shines is with his dual-threat abilities. His 1,143 rushing yards last season are the second-most in NFL history among quarterbacks. Yet this season, Fields has failed to put pressure on defenses with his legs, rushing for only 62 yards through two games. His descending production as a runner has allowed defenses to stay honest in their coverage, limiting passing lanes for the third-year quarterback.

Through seven games, Fields ranks only seventh in quarterback rushing yards while his QBR checks in at a rating of 22.2 — second-worst among NFL starters.

At this point of Fields' career, he is not the type of quarterback who will pick apart defenses from the pocket, struggling with inaccuracy and a knack for holding onto the football too long.

Since entering the league in 2021, Fields has been the most sacked quarterback in football (101). Of his 318 pass attempts last season, 20.8% were considered uncatchable by Sports Info Solutions, tying Fields with Davis Mills of the Texans for the worst rate in the NFL.

QBs with the highest % of uncatchable pass attempts in 2022 via Sports Info Solutions (minimum 150 pass attempts):

T-1: Justin Fields: 20.8%
T-1: Davis Mills: 20.8%
#3: Lamar Jackson: 19.8%
#4: Matthew Stafford: 19.7%
#5: Baker Mayfield: 17.4%

Some interesting names here.#NFL
— Jack Sperry (@jack_sperry) July 31, 2023

Fields has a long way to go if he hopes to improve as a pure passer, and even then, he may never be the player Stroud already is from the pocket. Yet, if he wants to prolong his tenure as Chicago's answer under center beyond this season and buy time to develop as a passer, the Bears and Fields must immediately embrace his dynamic dual-threat abilities.

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