ESPN analysts debate Justin Fields performance in first start
Justin Fields’ first NFL start could not have gone much worse. Chicago’s first-round pick and former Ohio State star had close to no time in the pocket, sacked nine times. Constantly feeling pressure, he was 6 of 20 for just 68 yards.
ESPN analysts took to Twitter to breakdown Fields’ performance. A 26-6 loss for the Bears, they finished with just 47 yards of total offense compared to Cleveland’s 418 yards.
“Legit Question for the Fields ain’t ready and he’s trash crowd,” Marcus Spears wrote. “Andy would’ve got sacked less and played better? Not sarcasm, asking for real?”
Booger McFarland responded, taking a shot at Bears coach Matt Nagy for not planning a game to play on Fields’ strengths.
“Fields isn’t trash. Andy doesn’t hold the ball as long,” McFarland said. “Nagy needed to call more movement, however, when he did, Fields made no plays. All that can be true. Why is that a bad thing bro? He is a rookie. They are all gonna be bad, look around the NFL today.”
Justin Fields was not the only rookie quarterback to struggle Sunday. Trevor Lawrence threw two interceptions in a loss to Jacksonville, the third-consecutive game he has thrown two picks or more. And Zach Wilson threw two interceptions and was sacked five times as the Jets fell to 0-3.
McFarland brought Dan Orlovsky into the conversation, too, calling him out for exonerating Fields’ performance.
“I never once absolved Justin —- but I got eye balls too,” Orlovsky said.
Bears coach hints at possible Justin Fields injury
Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy told reporters that Justin Fields might have suffered a hand injury in the final minutes of Sunday’s 26-6 loss against the Cleveland Browns. Fields later disputed the claim, despite taking postgame X-rays.
ESPN’s Jeff Dickerson confirmed the X-rays were taken on the right hand of Justin Fields after the possible injury. The rookie quarterback described the test as “precautionary” on Sunday.
Fields started the game in place of Andy Dalton, who was ruled out with a knee injury. He was elevated to the starting job for this game and potentially more as Dalton recovers. If both are unable to go in Week 4, Super Bowl champion Nick Foles is next in line to take the field.