It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. And the Chicago Bears finished early, seemingly, before the game was all the way over on some plays. But, there was second-year quarterback Justin Fields, sticking it out to the bitter end. The Bears’ 41-10 loss to the Detroit Lions sunk the franchise to a new low this season for several reasons.
Most importantly, it showcased a coaching staff that was willing to submit its hobbled franchise quarterback to punishment. The Bears’ offensive line had no answers for a previously limp Lions pass rush contributing to the seven sacks Fields took on the day.
He now leads the league with 54 sacks taken this season, the most since Deshaun Watson was taken down 62 times in 2018.
Despite the obvious risks compared to the faint reward, seeing Fields wasn’t surprising.
Bears QB Justin Fields Clears Air On Controversial Decision
Leaders Don’t Quit
Fields had a rough outing. He completed just seven of his 21 passes for 75 passing yards with one touchdown and one interception. In what was arguably his worst game of the season. His passing yards were his lowest since Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers. His 40 quarterback rating is his second-worst ahead of his Week 3 versus the Houston Texans.
The second-year passer’s previous season-low completion percentage was 47% which he has hit twice this year; he completed just 33.3% on Sunday.
Still, there was no way he wasn’t going to finish out the game.
“Any time I get to play this game, I don’t take it for granted,” a visibly at-ease Fields said in his postgame media availability. Any time I get to be out there no matter who it’s with. And, the fact that I know my guys are fighting for me, they know I’m fighting for them, that’s all the motivation I need.”
This man is unreal.
📺: #CHIvsDET on FOX pic.twitter.com/JEBTIfPvL9
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) January 1, 2023
Fields said there was a “full desire” to play. This echoed sentiments shared by head coach Matt Eberflus in his postgame presser, just in case he was unclear.
Eberflus said that the coaches believe that there is no matching the value of “live experience” from in-game reps. But he also seemed to suggest that the decision ultimately came down to Fields.
And, again, there was no way he wasn’t going to finish the game.
“To be honest with you, I don’t care what the scoreboard is,” Fields said. “If I have the chance to go out there and play, I’m [going to] do it every time. And I’m [going to] play my hardest.”
The day started out just fine with Field rushing for 105 yards in the first quarter alone. He finished with “just” 132 yards on the ground after Detroit adjusted and the Bears failed to come up with a counterpunch. The Lions rattled off 34 unanswered points while Fields could be seen receiving treatment and grimacing amid getting hit on over 42% of his dropbacks.
Drive after drive, though, he came back onto the field until the clock read all zeros.
On The Side
Fields’ toughness hasn’t been in question for weeks but was just one of the latest signs of leadership. He also had a moment with wide receiver Chase Claypool who was visibly upset on the sidelines at one point amid what was a targetless afternoon up to then.
Claypool finished with just one target, his fewest of the entire season including his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers which had him seeking a change.
So about Chase Claypool… pic.twitter.com/6EV7TZbjin
— Bears Talk (@NBCSBears) January 1, 2023
“He’s a passionate player, he’s passionate about the game,” Fields said confirming Clayool’s frustration. “But I think…he was just showing his emotions. It’s great to have emotions in the game but you just have to know how to control it. And you can’t let it come out like that because, at the end of the day, that’s not helping anybody. That’s not helping the team.”
Fields went on to say that everybody was frustrated as they were getting blown out which, in a way, seemed to add to his desire to keep coming back.
He also added that he and Claypool will be sure to get extra work in together this offseason.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
