CHICAGO (670 The Score) – In vowing to remain in the present with his uncertain future looming, Bears quarterback Justin Fields comprehended the significance of Sunday at Soldier Field.
Fields cherished the chants at the end of the Bears’ 37-17 win over the Falcons – “We want Justin! We want Justin!” – and celebrated with victory cigars with his teammates inside the home locker room. It may well have been Fields’ last home game in Chicago, a city that seems divided on his potential to be a franchise quarterback.
As part of his vow to remain in the moment, Fields allowed himself to recognize his time with the Bears may be winding down – or perhaps it’s still just beginning. Regardless, this Sunday was special.
“I'll definitely remember this game for the rest of my life,” Fields said.
Facing the Falcons franchise that he grew up watching, Fields was 20-of-32 for 268 yards and a touchdown while adding 45 rushing yards and another score on the ground. He led a complete performance by the Bears, one that featured 432 yards of offense and four takeaways by the defense.
After an 0-4 start, the Bears have improved to 7-9 and continue to showcase their progress.
Fields is now leading the Bears to victories, which is what a franchise quarterback must do. He’s looking to change the narrative of his young career and prove a point at the end of his third NFL season.
"You see the growth, the leadership, the willingness to do whatever it takes to win,” said running back Khalil Herbert, who rushed for 124 yards and a touchdown. “And I've seen it since when we first got here. Just to see him mature and continue to do those things and carry the whole city on his back, it's a lot. He's special, I'll say it again and again. He's one of one."
Shortly before the clock ticked to zero on Chicago’s win Sunday, a game of consequence in Jacksonville also brought the Bears a prize. The Bears clinched the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by virtue of the NFL-worst Panthers’ 26-0 loss to the Jaguars. The Bears own the Panthers’ first-round selection.
So just like in 2023, Bears general manager Ryan Poles controls the top of the NFL Draft. And once again, he’ll have to decide whether to build around Fields or trade him and select his replacement in the NFL Draft.
Fields has made that decision difficult – and potentially quite prosperous – for the Bears. And along the way, the team is taking steps toward achieving sustained success.
"You can see where this is going,” tight end Cole Kmet said. “We got some really good pieces. We got a really good team coming together. I really believe that."
Sunday was a full-circle moment for Fields as he faced the Falcons, his favorite team as a child. Growing up northwest of Atlanta, Fields watched superstar quarterback Michael Vick and set his sights on becoming great. The No. 11 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Fields arrived in Chicago with the hope of becoming the type of franchise quarterback the Bears have never seen before.
What the future holds for Fields remains to be seen. On Sunday, he wasn’t focused on it yet, instead taking in the victorious scene at Soldier Field.
“The atmosphere, the fans, the game, playing a hometown team where I’m from, beating them,” Fields said. “It was a good day today.”