Justin Fields on Game vs. Texans: ‘I Played Like Garbage’

CHICAGO — Oftentimes an athlete’s biggest critic can be himself, and that was the case with the player who stood in front of the microphone in the Bears’ interview room at Soldier Field on Sunday.

Justin Fields helped his team to a win over the Texans, their second of the season, but it was another lackluster performance from the quarterback in the passing game.

He knew it and didn’t mince his words when speaking to reporters after the 23-20 win over Houston.

“It just has to get better. Plain and simple. I think it is,” Fields said. “I played straight, I just played – I don’t want to say the A-word but I played like trash. Just gotta get better.”

It was another frustrating afternoon for the quarterback, unable to get any rhythm through the air as the game progressed. As the running game got strong again — 281 yards and a seven yards-per-carry average, which he contributed with 47 yards — Fields threw the ball just 17 times, with just eight passes finding their targets.

Two more passes from Fields found the hands of Jalen Pitre, who got two interceptions on the quarterback’s missed shots. In the first half, the quarterback missed the target on his pass to Cole Kmet when he landed in the hands of the safety behind the tight end.

In the third quarter, Fields attempted to hit Darnell Mooney down the middle, but his pass was brought down when Pitre caught his second interception of the day.

The sophomore quarterback finished with just eight completions and 106 passing yards, contributing to a very slow start through the air. Fields is 23 of 45 for 297 yards and two touchdowns compared to four interceptions with a 50 passer rating.

That comes as he’s adjusted to a new scheme under offensive coordinator Luke Getsy and a host of new receivers who are in Chicago to either prove themselves or restart their careers. Only Kmet and Mooney were returnees who had a consistent time last season.

How confident is the quarterback right now? That was the first question he was asked at his press conference on Sunday.

“Confidence is normal, I think. I think everyone is – I didn’t play as well as I wanted to. As I always say, I have high expectations and just need to play better for my teammates,” Fields said. “Proud of the defence, how we played and proud of everyone. Of course we want to play better, but everyone in the dressing room is fighting for each other.”

Time is still on Field’s side to reverse it, but there’s no doubt the passing attack frustrated early on. The quarterback’s own words on Sunday serve as evidence.