Former Bears Coach Dave Wannstedt Has Specific Critique Of Justin Fields

We know that Justin Fields is still learning the position of quarterback and it can be frustrating. It's drastically different at the NFL level than it is in college and we witness different players go through that upgrade every year. Prior to the Chicago Bears week-seven game with the Patriots, former coach Dave Wannstedt had a specific critique of Fields that's worth exploring.

Dave Wannstedt was recently on Unfiltered with David Kaplan and the two discussed the upcoming Monday Night Football matchup in New England. Kaplan asked Wannstedt about Justin Fields holding onto the ball for too long and if he agrees that the quarterback needs to release it in two and a half seconds.

Currently, Justin Fields is holding onto the football for an average of 3.25 seconds while players like Tom Brady are notorious for getting the ball out of their hands in much less time. Wannstedt responded by saying Fields is asking for trouble if he continues to hold onto the ball this long.

This topic got brought up because Kaplan described a bell that Tom Brady uses in Tampa Bay and Dave Wannstedt used previously in his coaching career to alert the quarterback when to throw the ball.

Wannstedt believes the bell is appropriate to help the entire offense by alerting the quarterback that if he doesn't get the ball out of his hands, he's probably going to get hit in the mouth.

Justin Fields is still a growing quarterback, who's really reliving his rookie season just under new management. But we've seen his play this year and it's known that he tries to extend the play sometimes when he shouldn't.

Sometimes, throwing the ball away and living to fight another down is exactly what separates the great quarterbacks from the elite. If the Chicago Bears hope to beat New England come Monday night, Justin Fields must have a great game and use his brain more than his legs.