Buccaneers kryptonite not changing in Week 7 vs. Bears

The Buccaneers will have their hands full with Justin Fields this weekend.

Rookie quarterbacks are the kryptonite for the Buccaneers. There is almost no way to describe it. Regardless of the talent on defense or the strength of the secondary, the Bucs have trouble containing opposing passers during their first year in the NFL.

This can be a somewhat normal trend, as some players take a year before the NFL starts to figure them out, not like the league has figured out Lamar Jackson, but there is a reason why the sophomore slump exists.

Regardless, the Buccaneers don’t just struggle against rookie quarterbacks; they struggle against mediocre rookie quarterbacks.

Playing close games against rookies like Justin Herbert is one thing. But making Mac Jones and Daniel Jones look like established NFL starters is a terrible look for any defense.

After watching the Bucs against Jones and Jalen Hurts (essentially a rookie) this season, the odds are that Justin Fields is about to have his breakout game.

Fans may not buy it after watching Mac Jones win the Heisman, but Fields is far better equipped as an NFL quarterback than any recent rookie the Bucs have faced other than Herbert.

Fields has the athleticism to escape the pocket and improvise plays, the arm to push the ball deep, and the college resume that proves an NFL-ready level of accuracy. The offense in Chicago hasn’t clicked yet, but that is far more due to the coaching than the lack of talent for the quarterback.

The Bears have the talent to be one of the best offenses in the NFL when they move on from Matt Nagy. Unfortunately for the Bears, the offense will probably look good against Tampa’s depleted defense, which should cause some within Chicago’s organization to wonder if a coaching change is necessary.

Either way, Justin Fields has the juice to cause problems against any defense in the NFL, especially one that needs so much help in the secondary. The pass rush will need to keep pressure on the rookie to keep him off his game, and the secondary has to be ready for broken plays that are sure to come from such an athletic player.

Want to write about the Buccaneers? Apply below!