PHOENIX — Former Bears cornerback Charles Tillman likes what he sees in current Bears quarterback Justin Fields. But he wants more.
“I know that he can run,” Tillman told the Sun-Times on Thursday at the Super Bowl radio row. “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.”
Fields will need help to get there. The Bears must add skill-position players and blockers, Tillman said.
“Have more options at receiving, running back, tight end — use those skill players,” he said.
Former linebacker Brian Urlacher, Tillman’s old teammate and a Pro Football Hall of Famer, wants the same for Fields. Among quarterbacks with more than 50 passes this past season, Fields finished tied for 26th with 2,242 yards and was 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. Urlacher wants to see the Bears’ passing attack catch up with their rushing prowess.
“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 [added] around him, I think he’ll be better.”
