LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — The Bears (6-9) conclude their home slate as they host the Falcons (7-8) on Sunday at Soldier Field. Here are three storylines to follow in this matchup.
Fields’ finale in Chicago?
Bears quarterback Justin Fields isn’t allowing himself to think of what could could this offseason, but the reality is that Sunday could mark his final home game in Chicago.
“I mean, I’ve got too much to focus on today to worry about tomorrow,” Fields said.
“Whatever happens happens. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”
Down in Jacksonville on Sunday, the Panthers (2-13) can secure the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft for the Bears with a loss. Carolina has a one-game edge on Arizona (3-12) in the race for the top pick and owns the tiebreaker of descending strength of schedule. The Bears own the Panthers' first-round pick as part of the trade that sent the No. 1 overall pick to Carolina last spring.
If the Bears land the No. 1 overall pick, general manager Ryan Poles will have to decide whether to invest in the 24-year-old Fields' future or select his replacement in the form of USC quarterback Caleb Williams or North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye. That decision likely won’t be made public until late February or early March, after the Bears have further scouted Williams and Maye and when they could line up a trade of Fields.
For now, Fields has two games remaining in his third NFL season and the opportunity to strengthen his case. He has made considerable strides this season, completing 60.9% of his passes while throwing for 2,146 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 11 games. Two of those interceptions were on Hail Mary throws.
The Bears are pleased with how Fields has progressed in 2023.
"There's been a tremendous amount of growth,” offensive coordinator Luke Getsy said. “I mean, just in this season alone, how far he's come ― taking care of the football, being in control of the game.
“His ability to progress is better, his footwork is better, I think the protection part of it is outstanding, the completion percentage part of it is good, he's throwing the ball accurately, I think the extended play part of it is a lot of fun to see him progress through that. So, there's been a lot of areas."
Whether Fields has showcased enough growth is a decision for Poles to make. His front office has been actively scouting quarterbacks this fall.
On Sunday, Fields will face a Falcons team that ranks ninth in the NFL in yardage surrendered and sixth in scoring defense. It will be a tough test for Fields, who has had mixed results against the league’s top defensive units.
Coincidentally, the Falcons could be an ideal suitor for Fields should the Bears make him available in a trade. He’s a native of Kennesaw, Georgia, which is northwest of Atlanta, and grew up a Falcons fan who admired the play of former star quarterback Michael Vick.
The Falcons will be in the market for a quarterback after shuffling between Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke this season. Atlanta currently holds the No. 10 overall pick in the NFL Draft, which is likely out of the ideal range to select a prized quarterback prospect.
The Falcons’ front office includes director of player personnel Ryan Pace, the former Bears general manager who selected Fields with the No. 11 overall pick in 2021.
Poles now leads the Bears’ football operations at Halas Hall and has a key decision looming at quarterback. That means Fields may be playing his final home game at Soldier Field on Sunday.
Give it away
In the four games prior to their 27-16 win against the Cardinals last Sunday, the Bears had recorded a combined 14 takeaways, including at least three in each of those contests. But they didn't force any turnovers against the Cardinals.
What mattered most for the Bears was the victory, but their defense takes pride in forcing turnovers and will be looking to do so again when they match up against Heinicke, who has been efficient with the football throughout his career. Heinicke has 25 interceptions in 38 career NFL games, throwing picks on just 2.7% of his career drop-backs.
Chicago pass rusher Montez Sweat knows Heinicke well from their time together in Washington.
“Probably one of the best teammates I've ever had,” Sweat said. “He's a gritty guy. He's really tough as nails, and he's smart. Before he started back playing, he was actually thinking about getting into coaching.
“He's going to be a hard guy to deal with honestly. I mean, he brings a lot to the table. People rally around him (because) he's a great leader.”
Home-field advantage
The Bears were winless in their first three games at Soldier Field this season, which makes it even more notable that they can secure a winning record at home for the first time in a season since 2018, when they were 7-1 on the lakefront.
The Bears have won their last four games at home and will finish 5-3 at Soldier Field this season if they beat the Falcons. It would be a marginal achievement amid another losing season for the Bears, though one that’s important for a franchise that has aspirations of sustained success.
Winning teams need to defend their home turf and use that as an advantage. 2018 was the only time the Bears have had winning record at home in the past decade.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.