LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- After outracing the 49ers to the end zone, Bears rookie quarterback Justin Fields was finally chased down by his own teammates. They were just as thrilled as the 60,877 fans at Soldier Field.
Fields made a terrific play that looked like it was going nowhere in the fourth quarter last Sunday, improvising on fourth-and-1 by cutting back from right to left and sprinting free for 22-yard touchdown run. It was the type of play that reminded how dynamic of a talent Fields is – and what he can be for the Bears. His teammates see it.
Though the Bears (3-5) are a struggling team as they visit the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3) on Monday night, they also recognize what Fields' emergence means for their future.
“I’m going to start off with (saying) I’m not a quarterback analyst,” defensive lineman Akiem Hicks said. “But I will say this: He’s elite. Like, it’s fun to watch, right?
“I enjoy watching him play. And I look forward to his growth.”
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Veteran receiver Allen Robinson has a more detailed perspective of Fields’ development, having worked with him in the Bears’ first-team offense since late September.
It’s not just the wow throws or top-flight speed of Fields that catch Robinson's attention. He has also seen the way Fields is willing to work to be great. Recently, the 22-year-old Fields set up weekly Zoom meetings with his targets so they can discuss each other’s tendencies and understand how to better connect.
Fields’ improvement was on display in the 33-22 loss to the 49ers on Sunday, when he went 19-of-27 for 175 yards while adding 10 carries for 103 yards. He was 4-of-4 for 40 yards and a touchdown on designed rollouts and rushed for 89 yards and a score on scrambles.
“I thought he played fast and made quick decisions,” Robinson said. “You can just tell as far as how he's moving out there and moving around and what he's seeing that he's getting more comfortable and gaining more confidence.”
With Fields becoming more decisive with the football, it presents a bigger challenge to opposing defenses. His reads are quicker on drop-backs in the pocket, and he can identify swiftly while on rolling out. Fields' internal clock is also ticking properly, allowing him to know when it’s time to tuck the football and make a play with his feet.
It’s what the Bears hoped for when they traded up to select Fields at No. 11 overall last spring, believing he could properly align his big arm and 4.44 speed to become a true dual-threat quarterback.
“He’s a dynamic player,” safety Tashaun Gipson said. “Obviously, when he's throwing the ball, he can make every throw. And obviously his legs, I think that you can’t really put him in a box because he can be a running quarterback or he can dice you up with his arm. That’s the beautiful part of having a quarterback like that. Defenses can never get comfortable.
“Everybody is pleased at what they’ve seen from him. Especially this early in his career. You look back five years from now, there’s no telling what the ceiling is for him. Man, Chicago is in good hands with ‘1’ as their quarterback.”
4-down territory
1) A-Rob’s ‘tough’ season
To his credit, Robinson hasn’t complained about his decreased targets or made excuses for his significant drop in production.
All Robinson wants to do is find solutions with Fields, which he has reiterated on multiple occasions in recent weeks. The 28-year-old Robinson is handling a difficult season for him personally like a total professional while also acknowledging what’s fairly clear to him.
“I mean, it's been tough,” Robinson said. “I’m just trying to account for everything. Trying to see what I can do differently, trying to figure out what there is that can be done differently again on my end. Really trying to control the things that I can control to possibly change whatever is going on to increase my production or whatever the case may be. That's what I've been trying to do each and every week, just been trying to get better myself, just trying to continue to focus on improving the things that I can."
After recording a combined 200 receptions the last two seasons, Robinson has just 26 receptions for 271 yards and a touchdown through eight games.
2) Playing with pride
Though the Bears defense has struggled recently and isn't playing up to its own expectations, the players still believe in each other and their collective group.
“My confidence never wavered,” cornerback Jaylon Johnson said. “My confidence didn’t change. At the end of the day, it’s little things. It’s not like we’re not good enough. It’s not like we don’t have what it takes.
“My confidence is still through the roof in the guys and in myself and in the play-calling, just top to bottom, so we’ve just got to keep fighting.”
Chicago ranks 20th in scoring defense and 14th in yardage allowed after giving up 33 points and 467 yards to San Francisco in a loss last Sunday, when the Bears allowed 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to look just like stars Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers in the weeks before.
The Bears still believe their defense can bounce back and be great.
“Everybody has talent,” linebacker Alec Ogletree said. “It's the reason you're here. If you aren't talented enough, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't keep you around. So you've got to play that talent. We need you to go out there and produce, believe in yourself and believe in the man next to you.”
3) Facing Big Ben
Bears safety Tashaun Gipson played his first four NFL seasons with the Browns, who face quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers twice a season.
These days, Gipson sees the 39-year-old Roethlisberger playing a different style as he tries to preserve his body.
“It affects your pass rush because Ben Roethlisberger gets the ball out really quick,” Gipson said. “He doesn’t want to get it. He took a lot of hits in his days. He’s not the same old Ben Roethlisberger who is shedding guys off like he used to. That used to be crazy, man. I used to be in Cleveland seeing that -- three guys had to take him down. So, obviously he doesn’t want to get hit anymore, and it shows. Obviously, their plays are designed for him to get the ball out quick.
“You got to play tighter. This is going to be a game plan where we’re going to have to play with our eyes. Vision break, be a little tighter in coverage and give those guys time to hunt on the front end. But those guys know that the ball comes out quick enough that if you can’t get there, get your hands up because obviously those are opportunities for the back seven to affect the game in that way.”
4) Return of Montgomery?
The Bears on Thursday designated running back David Montgomery for a return from injured reserve, officially opening a 21-day window in which he can be activated.
Bears coach Matt Nagy indicated that activation could come before Monday.
"If he’s able to go and we feel good about it, he will be up and ready to rock and roll," Nagy said.
Because they're playing Monday, the Bears have two extra days to decide compared to a normal game week. While final roster decisions are due by 3 p.m. CT Saturday for a typical Sunday game, the Bears have until before inactives are set Monday to activate Montgomery.
Injury report
OLB Khalil Mack (foot) -- The Bears didn't place Mack on injured reserve last week, but it’s likely his return comes after their bye next week rather than Monday night. A couple more weeks to heal would allow Mack to come back healthier and more dominant.
S Eddie Jackson (hamstring) -- Hamstrings are typically week-to-week injuries, and it doesn’t seem likely that Jackson is back by Monday. The goal should be getting him ready to return after the bye.
LB Alec Ogletree (ankle) -- Ogletree has played the majority of snaps at inside linebacker over Danny Trevathan, but that could change if he isn't at 100% on Monday.
RB Damien Williams (knee) -- Williams went down last Sunday. Even if he’s healthy, the possible return of Montgomery and the emergence of rookie running back Khalil Herbert could minimize whatever role Williams would play.
TE J.P. Holtz (concussion) -- Holtz will have until Sunday afternoon to be cleared from the concussion protocol.
Quote to note
“Just a football game.”
-- Fields on playing his first Monday Night Football game
Prediction (6-2): Steelers 23, Bears 16
Nagy believes a win could change the Bears’ fortunes this season, and he may be right. But it won’t come in Pittsburgh. The Steelers’ defense will pressure Fields throughout, and Roethlisberger will pull his team through for a win.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.