Over the last two days, most of the NFL is still talking about the Bears Steelers Monday Night game that came down to the final play. Although Chicago heartbreakingly lost the game 29-27, it was the performance of rookie Justin Fields that dominated discussions. Fields had the best performance by a quarterback in week 9, with the bye week now coming at the best time for the rookie quarterback.

Justin Fields had most of his production when pushing the ball down the field, completing 9 of 16 passes traveling 10+ air yards for 225 yards and a TD (+9.6% CPOE).

Fields averaged 15.7 air yards/attempt, the 2nd-most by a QB in a game this season.#CHIvsPIT | #DaBears pic.twitter.com/L4agkzuWRY

— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) November 9, 2021

Fields Heads Into The Bye Week With Positive Game Film

Following the worst performance of his rookie season in Tampa Bay against the Buccaneers, Fields has played two extremely good games at the quarterback position. Against San Francisco 49ers last week, the Bears’ rookie quarterback began making plays with his legs, including a 23-yard touchdown run on fourth down. Against the Steelers on Monday Night, Fields made plays in the passing game as he threw for 228 yards in the second half. He would finish with 291 yards as he completed several impressive deep throws.

Monday’s game was the game that many Bears’ fans were waiting to see from Fields as he finally began making throws to all levels of the field. The former Ohio State quarterback completed short, mid-level, and deep throw throughout the game. Fields’ deep ball accuracy against Pittsburgh was the most impressive, as he completed several different types of throws for 25 yards or longer. In the second half of Monday’s game, Chicago’s quarterback completed four passes that were 25 yards or longer.

#Bears QB Justin Fields averaged 15.6 air yards per attempt last night, the 2nd-most by any QB in a game this season.

He also had 7 completions on balls 15+ yards downfield, like this throw to Marquise Goodwin.

I love Fields’ aggression and execution throwing the deep ball. pic.twitter.com/roEjYm6uKk

— Chris Maltby (@ChrisMaltbyBD) November 9, 2021

Despite the loss, many observers of Monday Night’s Bears Steelers game feel that Fields took a massive step forward in his maturation process, with much excitement for Chicago’s next game in two weeks. The Bears will head into the bye week with two games of positive performances by their rookie quarterback. Fields will be able to compare the positive plays made against San Francisco and Pittsburgh against the negative plays made against Tampa Bay and Cleveland.

Furthermore, the stellar performances by Fields in the Bears’ last two games could allow head coach Matt Nagy to develop a game plan more tailored to his rookie quarterback’s strengths. Monday night demonstrated that Chicago’s first-round quarterback has the confidence to make any type of throw now. Fields also demonstrated that the moment is not too big for him as he led what should have been a game-winning touchdown drive on the road against an elite defense. With less than two minutes left in the game, Chicago’s rookie quarterback completed back-to-back big-time throws to put the Bears in a position to win the game.

Justin Fields' go-ahead TD was even more impressive from the all-22 angle. Didn't realize he threw his guy open because the TV angle didn't show the route that was run. pic.twitter.com/AdYCOjnxFe

— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) November 9, 2021

The Bye Week Has Often Led To Rookie Quarterbacks Improving Their Play

With the Bears entering their bye week, the break will allow Fields and Nagy’s coaching staff to reflect on their performance in the first eight games. Following the bye week, the Bears’ offense should be able to find success against the Baltimore Ravens on November 21st. Moving forward, many could see the level of production Fields’ generated on Monday Night against the Steelers for the remainder of the season after the bye week.

Improved play from a rookie quarterback has been seen in Chicago before as quarterback Mitchell Trubisky improved his play during his rookie season following the bye week. In 2017, Trubisky started four games before the Bears reached their bye week in week 9. Against the Saints in week 8, he completed 14 of 32 passes for 164 yards with an interception. Two weeks later against, the Green Bay Packers, Trubisky completed 21 of 35 passes for 297 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Josh Bellamy.

Press on the outside receivers. Josh Bellamy works free, Mitchell Trubisky delivers a strike. pic.twitter.com/9XFNINoLHC

— Derrik Klassen (@QBKlass) November 13, 2017

What was most remarkable about Trubisky’s performance coming out of the bye week in 2017 was that he appeared more confident and comfortable with the offense. Before the bye, Chicago’s offense was severely limited as their rookie quarterback could only execute a few passing plays. After the bye, the offense opened up as Trubisky was running more and more passing plays that he had not run before.

Following the Bears’ bye week, Fields could be on the verge taking the next step as a quarterback. If the rookie can now start to complete throws to all the levels of the field while utilizing his mobility when needed, he could be in store for an explosive second half of the season. Against the Steelers, Fields completed deep passes to Marquise Goodwin, Allen Robinson, Cole Kmet, and Jimmy Graham. Before Monday’s game, he had completed only one throw of 25 yards or longer to only Darnell Mooney. The ability to incorporate all of his receivers in the passing game will make Fields a better quarterback sooner than expected.

1. Justin Fields…
– Went into a hostile stadium
– In prime time
– Against one of the best defenses in the NFL

And compiled 336 total yards and a TD pass to give his team the lead with under 2 minutes to play.

Bad quarterbacks don't do that. #Bears pic.twitter.com/24dJm7FHmi

— Erik Lambert (@ErikLambert1) November 9, 2021

Although the Bears lost on Monday, their rookie quarterback gained invaluable experience and confidence on the national stage. Fields has two weeks to revisit his past seven starts and review what he did good and what he did bad. Fields’ next three games will be vital as Chicago will have a nationally televised game against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving and games against two of the league’s best quarterbacks in Kyler Murray and Lamar Jackson. Fields and the Bears have eight games remaining in the 2021 season, with it potentially being a much different half following the bye after what happened Monday in Pittsburgh.