Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields may have just had the best game of his NFL career in Week 17 against the Atlanta Falcons.
It was an inspiring performance from Fields, who's answering the challenge laid before him by the Bears' front office and, quite honestly, the fan base. It's a challenge that most first-round quarterbacks don't face this early in their career, especially not quarterbacks who've flashed as much playmaking ability as Fields has. But with the Bears locking up the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the option to move on from Fields and select a blue-chip passer is now a reality.
So, it's now or never for QB1 to prove he is the QB1.
And he's doing it. Whether you like him or not, he's doing it. There's no denying Justin Fields is on a heater that reached near nuclear levels in Week 17. He earned the Bears' third-highest grade from Pro Football Focus (81.0) and displayed the best mix of passing and rushing in any of his previous games.
Justin Fields completed 20 of 32 passes for 268 yards and a touchdown. Notably, he didn't throw any interceptions or lose any fumbles. He ran the ball 11 times for 45 yards and a touchdown, too.
Fields is playing like the quarterback the Bears expected him to be when they selected him with the 11th pick in the 2021 NFL draft. Granted, it wasn't the current regime that made the pick, but there's no doubt GM Ryan Poles was a fan of Fields' skill set while employed by the Kansas City Chiefs. It doesn't matter that he wasn't the guy who made the pick for the Bears, especially if he liked Fields as a draft prospect. He inherited him, in many ways, it was Ryan Pace's parting gift to Chicago. It's allowed the Bears to manipulate the NFL Draft and parlay the first overall pick into rare team-building hauls for potentially two years in a row.
Fields has one game left in the 2023 season to cement his status as the Chicago Bears' present and future at quarterback. If he ends the year with a road victory that potentially spoils the Green Bay Packers' playoff hopes? He'll be back.
For now, enjoy the show he put on Sunday against the Falcons:
Our comments section is now UNLOCKED and free to use for a limited time. Grade Justin Fields' performance from Week 17 and share your thoughts about what the Bears should do at quarterback. Use the No. 1 pick on Caleb Williams or Drake Maye? Trade it? Let your voice be heard! Bear Down
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