Chicago Bears’ Justin Fields excels in return from injury

DETROIT — Justin Fields, the quarterback for the Chicago Bears, was in the moment. Thanks in large part to Fields’ spectacular plays, the Bears were playing the best team in the NFC North, the Detroit Lions, toe-to-toe.

When the Bears faced a third-and-14 situation from their own 40-yard line, Fields showed the kind of playmaking that the team had mostly missed in the previous four games as he healed from a dislocated right thumb. Fields took off for a 29-yard gain while still in the pocket, scanning the field for open receivers. Following the play, Fields danced in celebration, allowing his feelings to flow over him.

When asked about his celebration, Fields said, “I can’t tell you [what that was].” “Just first thing that popped in my mind.”

Fields looked sharp in his comeback, providing the Bears with a lot to think about as they continue to assess their third-year quarterback. In addition to having a team-high 18 rushes for 104 yards (14 of those 18 attempts were designed runs, a career high and the most by a quarterback in a game this season), he completed 16 of 23 pass attempts for 169 yards and a touchdown. Fields received a 105.2 passer rating in the end.

The Bears should have won with just that stat line.

According to ESPN Analytics, the Bears had a 98.2% chance to win with 4:15 remaining and a 26-14 lead. But instead of celebrating an upset win in his return, Fields was left wondering how — for a second time this season — the Bears blew a double-digit fourth quarter lead which resulted in Detroit walking away with a 31-26 victory.

“I think the offense did a good job of pushing the ball downfield, controlling the ball, forcing long-play drives,” Fields said. “Overall, we did good. I think what we’ve got to get better at is just the situations.”

It was the first loss by any team this season when leading by at least 10 points in the final four minutes. Teams were 83-0 in those situations entering Sunday.

But if the top priority was evaluating Fields, the final score didn’t dampen the result.

“You always want major production, right?” coach Matt Eberflus said. “But we’ll look at the tape and see where he needs to improve and see where everybody needs to improve.”

If Fields builds on what he did in Detroit, the Bears may face a tough decision if they land one of the top two picks with the option of taking USC’s Caleb Williams or North Carolina’s Drake Maye.

This season, no team had lost after trailing by at least ten points in the last four minutes. As of Sunday, teams were 83-0 in those circumstances.

However, the outcome remained unaffected by the final score if assessing Fields was the primary concern.

Coach Matt Eberflus asked, “You always want major production, right?” “But we’ll look at the tape and see where he needs to improve and see where everybody needs to improve.”

If Fields continues to perform as he did in Detroit, the Bears may have a difficult choice to make if they land one of the top two picks and have the choice between Drake Maye of North Carolina and Caleb Williams of USC.

The Bears should have won with just that stat line.

“He came over with a smirk on his face, even after that play where we didn’t click. “Man, we gonna hit it,” he exclaimed. Therefore, that gives him hope.”

Despite how impressive Fields appeared for more than fifty-eight minutes on Sunday, his mishandled pass off a strip-sack resulted in a safety. The play that cost the Bears their final opportunity to rally was a lesson for the 24-year-old, who had not turned the ball over once during the contest. However, it shouldn’t overshadow the progress he made upon his return.

“If I’m keeping it real with y’all, we should’ve won that game,” Fields replied. “At the end, it just boils down to completing and executing.”

He approached with a sly smile on his face even after the play in which we failed to click. “Man, we’re going to hit it,” he said. That gives him hope, therefore.”

Even though Fields appeared to be playing well for more than fifty-eight minutes on Sunday, his mishandled strip-sack play resulted in a safety. The incident that cost the Bears their final opportunity to make a comeback was a learning moment for the 24-year-old, but it shouldn’t overshadow the progress he made upon his return. He did not turn the ball over once during the game.

“If I’m keeping it real with y’all, we should’ve won that game,” Fields stated. “At the end, all that remains is to complete and execute.”