Chicago quarterback Justin Fields indicated he is being given too much information by the coaching staff and thinking too much as a result rather than trusting his instincts. Fields said he played “kind of robotic” in last week’s loss at Tampa Bay.
“Could be coaching, I think,” he said Wednesday. “They are doing their job when they are giving me what to look at, but at the end of the day, I can’t be thinking about that when the game comes. I prepare myself throughout the week, and then when the game comes, it’s time to play free at that point. Thinking less and playing more.”
Fields’ comments at the podium come after two discouraging losses to start a season in which the Bears hope to show signs of improvement. He said later in the locker room that his quotes were taken out of context and that he is not blaming the coaches.
Fields was sacked six times and threw two late interceptions, helping Tampa Bay beat Chicago 27-17. The Bears have called few designed runs for him after he nearly set the NFL’s single-season rushing record for a quarterback last season. He remains uncomfortable in the pocket and, by his own admission, isn’t playing with the freedom he needs.
“I don’t think it’s too many coaching voices, but I just think when you’re fed a lot of information at a point in time and you’re trying to think about that info when you’re playing, it doesn’t let you play like yourself,” he said.
• Chicago defensive coordinator Alan Williams resigned on Wednesday, saying he needs to tend to his health and his family.
“I am taking a step back to take care of my health and my family,” he said. “I appreciate the opportunity to work with the Chicago Bears, a storied NFL franchise with a rich history.”
Williams’ resignation comes just two games into his second season. He missed last week’s loss at Tampa Bay for what the team said were personal reasons after working the opener against Green Bay.
Coach Matt Eberflus called the defense in Williams’ absence and figures to do so again when the Bears (0-2) visit Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
GIANTS: Running back Saquon Barkley is out for Thursday night’s game at San Francisco due to a sprained right ankle. So is left tackle Andrew Thomas, who will miss a second straight game with a hamstring injury.
Barkley is expected to miss multiple games, maybe even three, despite Coach Brian Daboll insisting on Tuesday that Barkley had a chance to play this week.
TRADE: The run-deficient Minnesota Vikings acquired running back Cam Akers in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams on Wednesday after the fourth-year player fell out of favor with the coaching staff and behind Kyren Williams on the depth chart.
The Vikings sent a 2026 conditional sixth-round draft pick to the Rams for Akers and a 2026 conditional seventh-round pick in the deal, which was pending Akers passing a physical.
Akers, who was the 52nd overall pick in the 2020 draft out of Florida State, tore his Achilles tendon during the 2021 preseason but recovered quickly enough to contribute in the playoffs during the Rams’ run to a Super Bowl title. Vikings Coach Kevin O’Connell, offensive coordinator Wes Phillips and quarterbacks coach Chris O’Hara were Rams assistants during Akers’ first two years there.
BROWNS: Desperate to find a quality running back after losing star Nick Chubb for the season to a knee injury, Cleveland reunited with Kareem Hunt, who was available as a free agent and is expected to be able to help Cleveland’s offense immediately.
The team is giving Hunt a one-year deal worth up to $4 million with numerous incentives, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.
LIONS: Detroit placed defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson and defensive end James Houston on injured reserve.
Gardner-Johnson’s torn pectoral muscle and Houston’s broken ankle will potentially keep them out for the season, Coach Dan Campbell said Wednesday.
PANTHERS: Carolina rookie quarterback Bryce Young did not participate in Wednesday’s walkthrough practice because of an ankle injury, opening the door for the possibility of veteran Andy Dalton starting on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.
Panthers Coach Frank Reich said at this point it’s too early to know if the No. 1 overall pick will be able to play.
RAIDERS: Las Vegas placed defensive end Chandler Jones on the reserve/non-football illness list on Wednesday, meaning he will miss at least the next four games.
Jones criticized owner Mark Davis, coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler in a series of social media posts, which he has since taken down. Jones also posted that the Raiders sent a mental health representative to his home.
McDaniels offered little comment when asked Wednesday before news of the designation.
“We’re just respecting that process and understand the situation, and that’s really all I can say about it,” McDaniels said.
Jones, who is in his second year with the Raiders, has not played this season. Las Vegas signed him last year to help improve the team’s pass rush, but Jones finished with 4 1/2 sacks. He had 10 1/2 sacks the year before with the Arizona Cardinals.
SAINTS: New Orleans safety Marcus Maye has been suspended without pay for three games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, the league said Wednesday.
The suspension starts with Sunday’s game at Green Bay and ends following New Orleans’ Week 5 game at New England on Oct. 8. Maye’s punishment stems from his 2021 arrest in Florida on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol after his involvement in a car crash in Fort Lauderdale.
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