It was obvious before the second half even began that the Chicago Bears were finished. The Detroit Lions were in complete control 24-10. Their pass rush was almost unblockable, and the Bears’ defense had no answers for their running game. Jared Goff could do pretty much whatever he wanted every time he dropped back to pass. People started calling on head coach Matt Eberflus and the coaching staff to pull Justin Fields from the game. He was getting pounded repeatedly. Risking him getting hurt in a meaningless game already out of hand was the height of folly.
One can understand if Fields would’ve welcomed the move. He was getting sacked or hit on every offensive series. He couldn’t complete passes, and the running game wasn’t functioning well enough to ease the pressure on him. Eberflus admitted after the game ended that he and offensive coordinator Luke Getsy contemplated pulling Fields. In the end, they decided that despite the score, and the inhospitable conditions, it was important for the young QB to get as many reps as possible. It turns out their decision was aided by Fields’ apparent refusal to leave the game.
“He said, ‘I want to be in there.’ Credit to him, he was, ‘Coach, man, I’m still going out there. I want to be able to operate.’ With his toughness and grit, he wants to go out there and compete, and that’s what he did.”
Justin Fields continues to show his leadership and competitiveness.
It has never been about his personal glory. Stats don’t matter to him. He’s all about winning. Despite what the scoreboard said, Fields had no intention to stop fighting for a way to get back in the game. This is one of many reasons his teammates love him. He’ll stay in there and take the hits for them. All he asks in return is that they keep battling. Yes, it’s clear Fields needs work. His passing proficiency isn’t where it needs to be. Improvement is required before people accept he is true franchise quarterback material.
What remains clear is the building blocks are there. He’s already made significant strides despite a lousy setup in 2022. His passer rating has improved. Interception rates are down. Completion percentage is up. Outside of Sunday, his pocket presence has looked better. He’s made massive improvements in weaponizing his legs. Next year should be much better. The Bears will spend all off-season upgrading the roster around him. All this while he enters the second year in the same offensive system. Justin Fields is poised for a big jump in 2023. It comes down to trusting the process.
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