Bears: Luke Getsy has encouraging praise for Justin Fields

Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy expects big things out of Justin Fields this year.

Look for the Chicago Bears to sink or swim this season based the growing rapport between starting quarterback Justin Fields and offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.

In addition to hiring Kevin Warren away from the Big Ten, what this potential duo could do together is the thing that makes me the most excited about the Bears. Fields has a real shot to be a star in this league, while Getsy could be an NFL head coach one day soon. For any of this good stuff to happen, Fields must assert himself as a superstar in his third pro season out of Ohio State.

Thankfully, it does seem like Fields is doing all that is required to be great in Getsy’s eyes recently.

Here is what Getsy told the Chicago Tribune about Fields’s growth and development on Saturday.

"“Where he was at this time last year to where he is now, I think he’s just light-years ahead of where he was. And I feel like he has a ton more to grow going forward. So we’re excited to try to get the best out of him moving forward and keep working toward where we think he can go.”"

Keep in mind that this is only the second year Getsy and Fields get to work together in Chicago.

Chicago Bears: Luke Getsy spoke highly of Justin Fields’ growth as a quarterback

While this all sounds well and good, all that matters is how the Bears play on the field. Fields was not as careless with the football last season as he was during his rookie campaign. Despite flourishing at Ohio State, Fields quickly found out that Big Ten speed isn’t SEC speed, and it certainly isn’t NFL speed. If and when the games slows down for him, he could reach his potential.

Yes, having Getsy around gives him the best chance at success. After all, he was a huge part in Aaron Rodgers winning back-to-back NFL MVPs during his final two years in Green Bay before turning heel and linking up with rival Chicago. While I tend to view Bears defensive-minded head coach Matt Eberflus positively, general manager Ryan Poles has to show me something this year.

Although I understand the idea of accumulating assets to build a winning team around Fields, you could have had Will Anderson Jr., Jalen Carter or potentially even Bijan Robinson. Trading back from No. 1 to No. 10 could work out for the Bears, but that is only contingent on Poles drafting well and Eberflus’ staff making the most out of the ingredients he gives him. I trust Getsy more than Poles.

I don’t think the Bears will be an awful team, but they feel a year away from being a year away…