Mike Martz thinks Justin Fields’ Bears offense has as…

Mike Martz thinks Justin Fields’ Bears offense has as much talent as 0-16 Lions

It’s been a long time since Mike Martz made his presence known in NFL circles. As one of the architects of the “The Greatest Show on Turf” Rams — who won Super Bowl 34 over the Titans — Martz made a few other intermittent stops throughout his pro football career. That includes later stints as the Lions’ and Bears’ offensive coordinator.

Both those squads came into focus as Martz wrote an article for The 33rd Team discussing the current state of the NFC North. After complimenting the other squads and their quarterbacks differently, Martz centered his thesis around Justin Fields and the Bears. Let’s just say he’s not a big fan of a quarterback who he thinks is “not particularly accurate” in what seems like an awful situation on paper:

He’s not a quick read-and-react guy, and he’s on a horrendous team. But I don’t know if I’ve seen an offense that bad in talent since the 0-16 Detroit Lions (in 2008). They just don’t have anybody there … It’s a bad football team right now.

The 2022 Bears have as little talent as one of the worst squads in NFL history? That’s, uh … that’s a bit strong.

Before we discuss some (extreme emphasis on some) of the validity behind Martz’s sentiments, it’s worth noting aspects of his NFL background.

Outside of the 1999 Rams’ No. 1 DVOA rating with Football Outsiders, each of the years Martz spent as someone’s offensive coordinator (2006-2007 in Detroit, 2008 in San Francisco, and 2010-2011 in Chicago) — their best efficiency rating was No. 20 in 2007. Each of those Martz offenses routinely finished closer to last than anything even middling.

Huh. Kurt Warner, Torry Holt, Marshall Faulk, and Isaac Bruce must have been really good!

Now back to the modern Bears.

There’s been a lot of discussion and concern about what little they’ve done to support Fields — their promising second-year quarterback. And a lot of those thoughts are entirely valid. They have no proven receivers outside of Darnell Mooney. Cole Kmet is still waiting for a breakthrough campaign at tight end. There will be three new full-time starters up front, including Teven Jenkins, who is making the switch from tackle to guard (not an easy thing to do).

As it stands, the Bears’ offense is “horrendous” on paper. But for an offensive mind who accomplished little after he left St. Louis to denigrate their talent? And to compare them to one of the worst teams in recent memory? That’s a little on the nose regarding pots calling kettles black and whatnot.

NFL fans had lots of thoughts about Martz's opinion of the Bears' offense

And that Lions offense had Calvin Johnson, a near thousand yard rusher and an OL with Backus, Cherilus & Raiola. https://t.co/YxOCAgqNlM

— Jackie Moon (@JackieMoonSZN) August 24, 2022

It’s sad that everyone hates such a bleh Bears team so damn much, shouldn’t you all have higher priorities? https://t.co/uELn7rPVif

— John P (@john_p_51) August 24, 2022

Says the guy who traded away Greg Olsen because he didn’t want his offense to throw to a TE https://t.co/8BO6XGZusC

— Andrew (@Ajohnson_45) August 24, 2022

This is, unfortunately for Chicago, an accurate take.#GamblingTwitter #NFLTwitter #NFLPicks https://t.co/dc05uGTOsL

— FarleyBets (@FarleyBets) August 24, 2022