Fans have waited for weeks to see if Justin Fields could have that true breakout performance. The game that would confirm to the Chicago Bears and to the country that he is indeed franchise quarterback material. People thought the wild game against San Francisco qualified. They had no idea what was right around the corner when the rookie led his team into a huge Monday night matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Everything about the game said there is no way Fields should play well. Primetime pressure. A raucous stadium. A solid Steelers defense that just held Baker Mayfield and the Browns to 10 points the previous week. Everybody was certain he’d have a hard time. For most of the first half, it looked like they were right. Then at a certain point, it felt like a switch started to flip. Fields led a nice drive with just under five minutes left in the 2nd quarter that should’ve ended in a touchdown but Jimmy Graham failed to catch it.
Still, it got the Bears on the board with a field goal.
Then things really took off in the 2nd half. He ended up completing 12 passes for a whopping 228 yards including the go-ahead touchdown with under two minutes left. That final two-play sequence where he hit Allen Robinson for 39 and Darnell Mooney for the 16-yard score was the first real indication that Fields is looking like an NFL quarterback. Yet the best part may have been what happened right before the drive began. Head coach Matt Nagy explained after the game.
Bears HC Matt Nagy said there was a cool moment when Justin Fields was about to take the field down 6 with 3 minutes left.
He had a smile on his face. Almost like he hoped it would come down to him. pic.twitter.com/lYmRuioarb
— Jordan Dajani (@JordanDajani) November 9, 2021
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Fields keeps saying that he thinks he is made for this. He was made to play in the NFL and be great. To be smiling in such a high-pressure situation? That is not normal. This was his first real opportunity to prove it to a national audience and he delivered. He was the best player on the field not named T.J. Watt, accounting for 338 total yards and what should’ve been the game-winning score. Sadly the Bears defense failed to protect the lead in the final moments.
Justin Fields should only get better with each week
He’s already proving that is the case. While there are still occasional mistakes, he’s begun to limit them more often while simultaneously increasing the number of positive plays. A byproduct of his growing experience, relentless hard work, and natural talent. If he is starting to play this well already. Just imagine what could happen when the Bears surround him with more help and a more competent coaching staff.
Matt Nagy deserves credit for recognizing that Justin Fields had a chance to be a generational talent for Chicago. However, it is becoming evident he might not be equipped to get the most out of him. This isn’t the first time such a situation has occurred. It happened to Anthony Lynn with Justin Herbert and the Chargers last season.
Facts are facts.
His offense is rigid, undisciplined, and has a bad tendency to get his quarterback hit too much. This has remained the case for almost three years now. Most of Fields’ big plays have been made off-schedule this season. He needs a coaching staff that understands how to work to his strengths. The Bears will have the opportunity to find one in January.
