While the Bears finished with the worst record in the NFL, the 2022 season was deemed a success given the development of second-year quarterback Justin Fields.
Someone who took notice of Fields’ improvement was his center Lucas Patrick, who landed on injured reserve after Week 7. Patrick praised Fields for his “night and day” improvement from the first half to the second half of the 2022 season.
“We saw the explosive plays he made during the latter half of the season and the things he was able to do both throwing and running the ball,” Patrick said, via NBC Sports Chicago. “It was excellent.”
Patrick credited Fields’ improvement to growing more comfortable in offensive coordinator Luke Getsy’s scheme as the season progressed.
“I really think it was the confidence and him knowing when certain plays are coming,” Patrick said. “As a player you know, this play’s being called, this is my time to make the play, and he stepped up in those moments. We saw that at the end of the season.”
While the Bears’ passing game was the worst in the league all season, people seem to forget that Fields has impressive accuracy. That arm talent is something that Patrick couldn’t help but notice.
“He throws a beautiful deep ball,” Patrick said. “As quarterbacks, there’s one, two, three balls. You know, one is direct, two has got a little zip on it and three has got that nice, beautiful arc ‘go’ ball. He might throw one of the better three balls I’ve seen in a long time.”
