The numbers aren’t showing up yet. Something that continues to annoy a certain sector of Chicago Bears fans. Yet when one watched Justin Fields on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers? There were legitimate signs that he has gotten considerably better. Not as a talent just making plays. As somebody who is supposed to look like a legitimate NFL quarterback Everybody remembers the flash plays.

That 20-yard sideline teardrop to Allen Robinson in the 1st quarter. Two great throws in the 4th quarter to set up a critical score to narrow the gap 17-14. They displayed both his arm strength and accuracy in equal measure. Yet those weren’t the throws that Bears coaches were talking about after the game. Instead, it was the ones that fans found easier to overlook in real-time. Upon further inspection, they were throws the top guys make.

Progression throws.

One of the knocks on Fields coming out of Ohio State was that he seemed to linger too long on his first read too often. This led to a stigma that he couldn’t work his progressions with enough speed. Several people defended him, saying he absolutely could do but never really had to for the Buckeyes. He didn’t do it much the first few weeks as a starter for the Bears, but that changed in the Packers game. Head coach Matt Nagy pointed out the first notable example.

“Then you go to plays 37, 38, and 39. I put all those three down for great decisions. Really, really good decisions. He had one where he checked it down to #24, to Khalil. He checked it down, went through his progressions and checked it down.”

He is referencing this one in the 3rd quarter. The Bears ran play action out of the shotgun with Khalil Herbert peeling out to the left flat. Fields looked at two receiver options to that side. When it became clear neither were open, he snapped over to Herbert. The throw hit perfectly, allowing the running back to create after the catch and get a 1st down.

That wasn’t the most impressive one though.

It came later in the 4th quarter on the touchdown throw to Darnell Mooney. People of course will ask what is so impressive about a five-yard throw to a wide open receiver. Quarterback coach John DeFilippo explained to Adam Jahns of The Athletic. Mooney wasn’t the first option there. Not even close.

“I thought that was a play that looked good and we had had up for a couple weeks,” DeFilippo said. “We knew we were more than likely to get zone defense there and we thought it was a good zone play. I thought Justin’s patience on that play was really good, because technically there, Mooney is the fourth progression.

“We’re reading that thing high to low, to Jimmy (Graham) over the top and then Mooney coming into our vision late. So the patience down there at that point of the game, where we really needed a touchdown, was really, really good.”

Justin Fields remains calm despite all the issues

Context is key here. The Packers had just scored to make it 17-7. With under 10 minutes left, it felt like the Bears needed to score or they’d never have another chance to come back. A valid feeling considering Green Bay scored again on their next drive. Justin Fields delivered the best drive of the season. Then for him to stand tall in the pocket, remain calm, and work his way quickly to Mooney showcased his maturation.

Those are the plays to look for when determining whether or not a young quarterback is “getting it.” Justin Fields is getting it. He’s not playing the position like it’s in the backyard and he is just running around making things happen. He is playing within the system and doing what he is supposed to. Sure, that system isn’t great but his level of execution continues to rise.

Does he still need work? Of course. These things aren’t mastered in a few games. Yet the fact he is already doing things like this is a great sign for the future.