Ex-Buckeye Justin Fields blames coaches for bad performances

The 2019 Ohio State football team is the most talented Ohio State team I’ve ever seen. The defense was insane and the offense put up points against everyone they played. They got screwed against Clemson by the refs and should’ve played for a national championship.

Justin Fields was the leader of that team. He did make the national championship the following year in 2020, ultimately falling to Alabama. He ended up being the 10th overall pick in the following Draft by the Chicago Bears, who traded up to get him.

Since being drafted, Fields has struggled mightily in the NFL as a passer. He has only thrown for 4,539 yards and 26 touchdowns in 2+ years. He also has thrown 24 interceptions and has fumbled 31 times. A lot of that has to do with his poor supporting cast, but not all of it.

This is a make-or-break year for Fields in the NFL. When asked today by the media what might be behind his struggles, Fields said, “It could be coaching”. That’s a pretty inflammatory response given how poorly he’s already played in the first two games this season.

After that, he gathered the press around his locker a few hours later to clarify his statement, saying that he takes all the blame and won’t put it on his teammates or coaches. The damage has already been done though. He’s already deflecting blame for his failures.

I really liked Justin Fields at Ohio State. He was a true leader during the 2020 season and rallied the whole conference to get teams back on the field during COVID. But his time in the NFL has not been good at all. He also doesn’t seem to be able to take accountability for his poor play.

Yes, coaching and his supporting staff have let him down at times. But that does not explain all of his interceptions or fumbles or missed throws. He’s been just flat-out bad. He needs to own that and commit to getting better at all costs instead of throwing his coaches under the bus.

Hopefully, he can use this as a learning moment. I’m still pulling for him.