PHOENIX — Former Bears cornerback Charles Tillman likes what he sees in quarterback Justin Fields — “I think he can do it,” he said — but wants more.
“I know that he can run,” Tillman told the Sun-Times at Super Bowl radio row Thursday. “He definitely knows how to run. But I think hopefully the transition from Years 1 and 2 to 2 and 3 you grow a little bit more. Hopefully in this next season he’ll do a little bit more throwing, less running.”
He’ll need help to get there. The Bears need to add skill position players and blockers, Tillman said.
“Have more options at receiving, running back, tight end,” he said. “Use those skill players.”
Brian Urlacher, Tillman’s former teammate and a Pro Football Hall of Famer, wants the same for the Bears quarterback. Among quarterbacks with more than 50 passes last season, Fields finished tied for 26th with 2,242 yards and 31st with an 85.2 passer rating.
“I’d like to see him throw the ball,” Urlacher said. “I’m sure he was handicapped a little bit by protection. The receivers weren’t there.”
Fields led all quarterbacks — and was second-all time — with 1,143 rushing yards last year. Urlacher wants to see the Bears’ passing attack catch up with their rushing prowess. Adding new pieces is a bit part of that, he said.
“The guy’s explosive, makes a lot of plays in the run game,” Urlacher said. “But I want to see him throw the ball better. With more veterans around him, I think he’ll be better.”
