Chicago Bears: Justin Fields has kept pace with Tyreek Hill’s speed

Last season, Chicago Bears fans saw what the tip of the iceberg looked like for quarterback Justin Fields. When the team drafted him 11th overall back in 2021, they knew they were getting a young quarterback with a great arm and dual-threat ability, but his performance at the Combine that year truly solidified his athleticism.

Running a 4.39 in his 40-yard dash proved to be a head-turning drill for the former Ohio State Buckeye, but no one expected him to start doing what we saw over the course of the 2022 season.

When Fields decided to take off and use his legs last year, magic happened. He accounted for three 50-plus yard touchdowns in a matter of a month at one point. Once he broke the pocket and had space, Fields was as good as gone.

Fields was so fast last year, that NFL Next Gen Stats included the Bears atop their list of most 20+ MPH touches in 2022, with Fields finishing second in all of football in that category.

How about that? Fields joins the likes of Tyreek Hill, known as the fastest player in the league, atop a list all about speed.

Justin Fields is not the only Chicago Bears player with elite in-game speed

What this graphic will also tell you is that the Bears do, indeed, have some speed on that roster. Head coach Matt Eberflus wasn’t kidding when he said “Get your track shoes on” as one of his first points to his new team last offseason.

The Bears were going to run, and they certainly did. Chicago finished as the no. 1 rushing team in the NFL last year, and they did it in a variety of ways, but don’t forget that speed was a big part of it.

Khalil Herbert likely had a few of those touches last year, too.

And, they added even more on offense with guys like D.J. Moore and Tyler Scott.

Chicago’s offense is going to feature a load of speed and an improved offensive line. Plus, one aspect no one is really talking about outside of Chicago is the fact that the Bears were in the midst of a new offense last season.

This year, they’ll have a year of comfort and chemistry under their belts as they go into their second season of Luke Getsy’s offense, with a better roster to run it, too.