Bears' Fields vows to be more aggressive after 'conservative' Week 1
After his disappointing performance during Sunday's 38-20 home loss to the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields plans to be more aggressive.
"I felt like I was a little bit too conservative at times," Fields said Wednesday, according to Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic. He added, "Definitely with guys like D.J. (Moore) and Chase (Claypool), if we do have one-on-one on the outside, potentially throwing it up and seeing what happens. ... Want to give them more chances deep down the field."
The Fields-led offense entered the 2023 season surrounded by high expectations after the signal-caller broke out as a runner last year. However, Fields passed for only 216 yards (5.8 per attempt) and one touchdown against one interception versus Green Bay. The 24-year-old also suffered a fumble and was sacked four times.
The 2021 first-round pick attempted two passes of 20-plus yards and finished the game with an average depth of target of 3.6 yards, which ranked 31st among QBs in Week 1, according to PFF.
"I'm not sure. I don't know," Fields said when asked why he was so conservative in the season opener.
Bears head coach Matt Eberflus wasn't happy with how the Fields-led unit performed either.
"Rhythm and timing of the passing game is what we're searching for," Eberflus said, according to Kevin Powell of WGN Radio 720.
Chicago visits the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2.