LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- For three decades, the Bears have struggled both to beat the Packers and to develop a franchise quarterback.
Though the Packers prevailed 24-14 at Soldier Field on Sunday in the latest matchup between the rivals, the Bears are hopeful they've found their quarterback answer in rookie Justin Fields. After watching the film of the Bears' loss, coach Matt Nagy viewed Fields' performance against the Packers as a source of optimism.
Fields was 16-of-27 for 174 yards, one touchdown and one interception, pedestrian numbers that Nagy didn't think told the tale of what he saw on tape. As Nagy explained, the 22-year-old Fields is displaying greater comfort in the Bears' offense and a stronger grasp of the decision-making process.
Nagy noticed that on the Bears' opening drive Sunday, when they faced a second-and-14 situation from their own 42-yard line after a botched snap from center Sam Mustipher, the type of miscue that usually stalls a Chicago drive. Fields took a three-step drop and played within the timing of his first read, hitting receiver Darnell Mooney in stride with his cut and leading him with space between the sidelines and Packers rookie cornerback Eric Stokes. It went for an 11-yard completion to get the Bears into a more manageable third down.
"That was a professional throw, a professional play," Nagy said.
On third-and-3 from the Packers' 47-yard line on the next play, Fields saw Green Bay's cover-2 look defensively and recognized there would be an opening between the cornerback and safety.
Fields again played the timing of receiver Allen Robinson's route to perfection and led Robinson to what Nagy called the "side pocket" in that cover-2 coverage. They connected for 20 yards, moving the Bears to the Packers' 27-yard line.
"Great throw, great catch, great execution," Nagy said.
Bears offensive coordinator and play-caller Bill Lazor kept Fields in rhythm for the next snap. On first-and-10, Lazor dialed up a shot play with speed threat Marquise Goodwin on the outside alongside Robinson.
Fields spotted Goodwin with a favorable matchup against cornerback Isaac Yiadom, who got beat and was called for a blatant pass interference penalty in the end zone. The Packers benched Yiadom for the remainder of the game after the drive. Rookie running back Khalil Herbert then quickly punched in a one-yard touchdown run to give the Bears an early 7-0 lead after Fields had set up the opportunity by stringing together quality plays.
Nagy marked down those three decisions and throws from Fields in his notes Monday.
"Those three plays right there for Justin were special," Nagy said.
The final box score also showed a major miscue from Fields – at least on paper – with an interception late in the first quarter. With 1:23 remaining in the quarter, Fields took the shotgun snap on third-and-7 from the Packers' 47-yard line and caught defensive lineman Kenny Clark trying to jump the count. Fields believed there would be a penalty flag coming for offsides, so he took a shot to the end zone. The ball flew well past Robinson and was picked off by safety Darnell Savage.
The Bears practiced that exact scenario last Wednesday and Thursday, Nagy said while indicating Fields was doing everything he was coached to do.
"I was confused on why there weren't any flags on the ground," Fields said Sunday. "I don't know if the refs just missed that or he didn't jump offsides or what.
"My mindset on that, I already have five yards, it's going to be first-and-5. Or we can get a potential downfield throw, potential (pass interference penalty) or potential big play.
"There just happened to not be a flag on that play. Can't really do anything about it."
Nagy also supported a decision that Fields made late in the second quarter Sunday as he rolled out left on a designed bootleg and twice evaded the rush of Clark. Fields stayed within the design of the play, which didn't include Robinson as a progression. Fields recognized that Robinson had broken free wide open down the middle of the field and momentarily cocked his arm to throw – but he felt the pressure from Clark and instead scrambled for seven yards and a first down.
The Bears entered the regular season backing veteran Andy Dalton as their starting quarterback while planning for Fields to develop as the backup. But Dalton was injured in the Bears' second game, and Fields hasn't relinquished the starting role since.
Fields has earned his place as the Bears' starter in part because of how his talent and pocket presence have meshed early as a rookie. And even in another loss to the Packers, the Bears found hope in what's to come for Fields.
"That's what gets you excited," Nagy said. "Is being able to see that."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
