Matt Eberflus knew if he were going to help make Justin Fields a success at quarterback, he’d need to hire the right offensive coordinator. His choice was Luke Getsy, former passing game coordinator for the Green Bay Packers. Eberflus felt the young assistant brought innovation and teaching skills to the table. Not to mention a strong background in the Shanahan-style outside-zone offense that is all the rage around the NFL.
While Getsy has said he plans to adjust the system to what Fields does best, there are still specific things that will be kept from the original. One of them is the footwork. The Shanahan offense has origins in the West Coast scheme, made famous by Hall of Famer Bill Walsh. Footwork was a vital component of its success due to its rhythm and timing. Not long after taking over the job, Getsy seems to have already made a significant adjustment to Fields’ feet.
That is interesting. Most people wouldn’t think it matters whether a quarterback plays with his left or right foot back. Personal preference and all that. Yet apparently, it’s a thing. One that Fields himself experienced around this time last year. When he conducted his first pro day at Ohio State ahead of the 2021 draft, Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers were in attendance. The head coach had him experiment with playing with his right foot back instead of the usual left.
I just went back and looked at some film, and Matt Ryan played with his right foot forward until the 2015 season – when Kyle Shanahan arrived in Atlanta. From then on, Matt Ryan has had his right foot back. https://t.co/BY8Hj7lXYy
— William McFadden (@willmcfadden) April 14, 2021
So why do something like this? It comes down to how it affects Fields’ drop after each snap. QBs take three, five, and seven-step drops when passing the ball. In this style of offense that Getsy will run, precision is vital. A right-handed QB should lead the drop with his right foot. This is because going with the opposite could lead to something called a “punch step.” The QB would take an extra step the play wasn’t designed for. Suddenly a three-step drop becomes four, five becomes six, and seven becomes eight.
Doing this is dangerous because it leaves the quarterback too far outside the designated pocket, allowing edge rushers a better opportunity to reach him. Not to mention it messes with the timing of progressions from each of the receivers.
One of the things both players and fellow coaches have said about him is his intensity regarding details. He harps on the little things, making sure his players never gloss over them. Wide receiver Davante Adams said that was one of the big reasons he became such a great player. The same goes for Aaron Rodgers during their three years together, two of which he finished as league MVP.
No position requires greater attention to detail than quarterback. Justin Fields learned that the hard way last season. Matt Nagy and his coaching staff failed to adequately prepare him when he stepped in as the starter. Luke Getsy isn’t planning to make the same mistake. He will grind the young QB on everything.
He loves to be coached hard, and the Bears found somebody willing to do so. Not out of some misbegotten sense of superiority either. Getsy does it because he knows the details separate the good quarterbacks from the rest. Starting with the footwork makes perfect sense. Everything can be built from there.
