National reaction: Bears QB Justin Fields among the NFL’s most electrifying players

I think as the weeks go on, there can be no doubt that the Bears have themselves a quarterback for the long term. I am sure offensive coordinator Luke Getsy doesn’t like endangering Justin Fields by running him so much, but he is so darn good at it, that I think the Bears simply have to play to his strengths.

Say hello to the new Lamar Jackson, everyone. The Bears didn’t win on Sunday, falling 31-30 to the Lions in their third straight defeat, but once again, their rising star at quarterback came to play. One week after exploding for 178 rushing yards, the most by a QB in the Super Bowl era, Justin Fields ran for another 142 against Detroit, totaling four touchdowns to make NFL history.

The 2021 first-round pick wasn’t perfect in the loss, throwing a late pick-six to help Detroit’s comeback, but he also carried the Bears’ offense, reconfirming his upside as one of the game’s most athletic dual threats.

Justin Fields is a box-office wonder | Fields will be kicking himself for the game-changing INT and taking two sacks on the final drive, but the young QB again made a ton of plays with his arm and legs. He scampered for 147 rushing yards on 13 carries with two TDs, including a mind-bending 67-yard gash that gave the Bears the lead back in the fourth quarter. The QB also tossed two TDs to Cole Kmet, including a 50-yarder. With the designed QB runs integrated into the offense, the Bears are dangerous on the ground, generating 258 rushing yards — their fifth straight game with 225-plus yards on the ground. Fields became the only QB in the Super Bowl era with multiple rushing touchdowns of 60-plus yards in the same season, per NFL Research. As the offense has come on strong, however, the other areas of the Bears have collapsed, including poor discipline, as Chicago was called for nine penalties for 86 yards, many in crucial spots.

As his development continues, the Justin Fields experience will resemble a roller coaster with all kinds of highs (another 147 rushing yards and two touchdowns, and two more passing touchdowns) and plenty of lows (a game-changing pick six, and two late back-breaking sacks). But as the Bears coaching staff continues to embrace his strengths, Fields is looking like the best quarterback from the 2021 draft. I know, I know. It’s still early. But still.

But in spite of the Bears’ three-game losing streak, it’s the most exciting time to be a Bears fan in years. Because JUSTIN FIELDS, FOOTBALL GOD, IS BACK.

You’ve gotta understand. The Chicago Bears and their fans have spent decades watching absolutely terrible quarterbacks. They’ve made the playoffs a few times and even made a Super Bowl. (With Rex Grossman.) One month ago, it looked like they might have screwed up again at QB, as Fields was posting league-worst passing numbers. Now they know he’s not just the QB of the future—he’s the most dynamic player in the league today, and will give this team a chance to win every week. So what if they’ve lost a few of those chances? If you’ve spent 40 years winning and losing with the Grossmans and Ortons and Trubiskys of the world, a loss with the most exciting QB in the league feels like a win.