Fields inactive

Bears QB Justin Fields (ribs) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Cardinals. The rookie was limited in practice this week, giving him a shot to return in Week 14. QB Andy Dalton gets another start today.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler says he's "told" the Bears like the way QB Justin Fields has developed this offseason. Specifically, the 2nd-year QB has reportedly quickened his release when passing and improved at throwing on the move. "The Bears are excited for offensive coordinator Luke Getsy's system, which should give Fields more space to operate," Fowler writes. Even if you're not ready to fully buy in on Fields, he's going 15th among QBs in FFPC ADP and 16th on Underdog. There's plenty of fantasy upside from that range even if Fields struggles from a real-life perspective.

Bears HC Matt Eberflus talked up Justin Fields’ deep ball ability at OTAs. “I would say, ‘Man, he throws a good deep ball,’ ” Eberflus said. “I’m excited about that. And you could see it in the seven-on-seven and 11-on-11s, and we’re gonna take our shots down the field and, man, he does a nice job doing that. And that’s what stands out to me.” Fields wasn’t afraid to go deep last year, posting the league's 2nd highest intended air yards per attempt (33 qualifiers). A lack of weapons is troubling, but the arrival of Round 3 pick Velus Jones at least supplies another deep threat alongside Darnell Mooney.

New Bears OC Luke Getsy commented on the development of QB Justin Fields. ‘‘I’ve been super-impressed with him, I really have,’’ Getsy said. ‘‘There’s no one in this building that works harder than him. There’s no one that cares more than him. We’re off to a great start. He’s really accepted this challenge. We’re asking a lot of him, to learn a lot of new things. He’s been a pleasure to work with.’’ Formerly Green Bay’s QB coach/pass game coordinator, Getsy is expected to implement “a mix of outside-zone and read-option runs with a vertical passing attack,” per beat writer Pat Finley. Getsy’s almost certainly an upgrade over the old regime. But a lack of weapons around Fields for 2022 remains a serious concern.

The Bears are set to hire Luke Getsy as their new OC, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Getsy has spent the past 3 years as the Packers' QBs coach and passing-game coordinator under Matt LaFleur. Getsy previously worked under Mike McCarthy in Green Bay and has coaching experience at 6 different colleges. He held the OC title at Indiana (PA) in 2011 and 2012 and at Mississippi State in 2018. That Bulldogs team ranked outside the top 60 in total yards and points. Getsy is largely an unknown heading into 2022. The Packers, meanwhile, are expected to promote offensive line coach Adam Stenavich to OC.

The Bears are hiring Matt Eberflus as their new HC. The 51-year-old has been in the NFL since 2009, working as a LBs coach in Cleveland and Dallas before getting the DC job in Indianapolis in 2018. Under Eberflus over the past 4 seasons, the Colts ranked top 10 in points allowed, yards allowed and takeaways. We'll see who he tabs to run the Bears offense.