The Chicago Bears have been in a long rut of Quarterback failures.
As always, the optimistic Bears fans were excited after the 2021 NFL Draft. Another QB pickup and a new, fresh start for their struggling team brought assumed resurgence to the masses.
Former Ohio State and current Chicago Bears rookie Quarterback Justin Fields was set to make his professional debut on Saturday against the Miami Dolphins in their first preseason game.
Entering Soldier Field for the first time since the massive renovations, I wore a bland black tshirt and shorts as an unbiased fan. This was the first time entering a sporting event in a long time as a true fan of sports with no affiliation to any team, player, organization, entity, NOTHING.
Of course, fans are always sporting their favorite players apparel – Urlacker, Briggs, Peppers, Perry, along with the greats Peyton, Sayers, Butkus, and more. But one jersey took the dominant position… Jersey #1 – Fields. One dude even converted an old jersey to #1 and Fields using duct tape.
The fans went nuts as Fields entered the field with his new teammates but sat the bench to start the game. Offseason signed QB from the Dallas Cowboys Andy Daulton took the reigns to start and the dry Bears offense looked to continue their struggles.
After a couple series of downs, Fields hit the turf.
Hitting the turf is a loose term here as he struggled moving the ball with his best movement being some short tosses as constantly rolled out of the pocket to buy himself time. Ball hit the turf too often through the 1st half with incomplete passes, an near interception, near loss of possession off a crap snap that Fields needed RB Khalil Herbert to recover, and his roll-out rush for 5 yards only to fumble the ball. Luckily, he recovered the ball.
As time expired in the 1st half, a friend texted me (jokingly), “Do you think Fields middle name is Cutler?” Hmmm…
Texts started flying: “The Bears may be in for yet another long season!”
Regarding his fumble and recovery, Fields cited, “I think after that I’m going to officially retire the spin move.”
The 2nd half brought the Bears fans what they came to see. “Let’s Go Fields!” become louder amongst the spectators.
Fields started hitting the targets more in regularity and got his feet moving more and more, while finding open field like a 2021 version of Michael Vick. His feet just kept moving like Tom Hanks in the movie Forrest Gump.
Link to NFL’s video of Justin Fields Play from Saturday
Fields scored his first NFL touchdown on a rollout to the left for 8 yards to the Dolphins End Zone.
Of the next series, Fields lofted a 30 yard toss to a wide open Jesse James that gave the Bears the lead. The Soldier Field crowd went nuts.
Fields finished the game completing 14 of 20 pass attempts for 142 yards, 1 passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown in the Bears 20-13 victory.
Post-game, Fields stated, “I definitely feel good outside of the pocket… It puts a lot of pressure on the defense and allows me to play backyard football with the receivers.”
Have the Bears found their legit QB?! Fields got his feet wet and time will tell how he progresses. He overcame the pressures and jitters as a #NextGenChamp
This team winning the NFC North Division… There is a lot of work to do when they have to face their rivals to the North with Aaron Rodgers apparently sticking it out in Green Bay.
Jay Kemp
Northwest Chicago Suburb native that has a knack for sports marketing. Sports is my life, from youth to professional levels. I make things happen! I AM GOLDEN! Sports BIZness specialties include marketable presentation, public relations, sponsorship acquisition and retention, up-to-date marketing strategies, charitable projects and how they translate into positive public image. In addition to boxing, I am a nationally certified coach in the sports of lacrosse, soccer, and wrestling, with ties to many other sports. Telephone: 224-627-3777
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