Fields is becoming more assertive and more direct with his downfield intent, and despite a suspect offensive line and despite being deprived of so many snaps this summer, I believe he is going to be as exciting as any rookie in this league in the final few months of the season.
In their last four games, the Bears are averaging a gaudy 5.09 yards per carry, and the dynamic quarterback has much to do with that.
Offensive coordinator Bill Lazor has brought him along slowly and gradually catered more things to him, and they now have the ability to strike quickly to quadrants of the field that were not really in play previously.
He does five to seven things every week that hint at his promise; making throws that few would consider let alone execute and plunging forays with his feet that most would not consider.
Consider that the Steelers and Chargers are preparing for a potential playoff tiebreaker – a result that could put one team in the postseason and keep another out – and they are doing so with the potential for Ben Roethlisberger, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Joey Bosa and Jerry Tillery all being on the COVID list and out for the game.
It was far from his best game, while Green Bay’s loss the previous week had everything to do with the Hall of Famer’s absence — and if Russell Wilson wasn’t coming back from a month-long absence after hand surgery, that may have been Seattle’s game.
It seems inevitable that some teams will be hit with periodic instances where they are short at a key position or positions because of the virus, and depth will be tested.
Jalen Hurts has endured a lot of over-analysis as he adapts to the NFL.
Hurts has a lot going for him, including a strong work ethic, ample humility and a desire to compete and win.
Even more impressive is his average of 11.33 air yards per attempt in that span, with five touchdowns and just one pick for a very respectable quarterback rating of 99.6.
And for the season they lead the NFC with 4.9 yards per carry and lead the NFL in first downs per rush and they lead all NFL teams with 761 yards rushing since Week 7, 136 more yards than any other team.
There is clay to mold here, and the Eagles possess an abundance of first-round picks in 2022 to build around him.